by Kym Grosso
“Always,” she spoke into his lips as he surged within her, unsure of whether she was talking to him or herself.
“Goddess, yes. You’re everything,” he breathed. The physical attraction was banging hard, he knew. But the more time they spent together, the more he emotionally committed to Gillian and he started to believe that it’d be possible for him to find love.
The piano keys chimed as he delved deeper into her core, rocking into her body. Her staccato breath told him she was close, and he could no longer hold back the release they both sought. With slow, forceful thrusts, he stimulated her clitoris with his pelvis, throwing them both over the edge of ecstasy.
Gillian screamed against his lips as Dimitri heaved against her, matching his intensity. Merged together, she contracted, shaking as the rush of her orgasm tore through her body. Holding on for dear life, she wrapped her legs around Dimitri’s waist, encouraging him to go deeper.
Dimitri felt her inner muscles fist around him, and he no longer fought his impending climax. With a grunt, he came, pouring himself into her. He kissed her again, wishing he could say all the words that lay hidden in his heart. She’d slay him, he knew. Yet the taste of her was like lifeblood, pulsating into him with explosive passion.
Desperate to own their feelings…for each other…for their future, they succumbed to the delicate intimacy that had begun to weave itself into their hearts. As their kiss slowed, they continued to seek each other, not wanting the moment to end. Eventually, their lips stilled, their breath softening. Gillian and Dimitri drew closer, cheek to cheek, eyes closed, lost in the surreal sensation. An intense state of intimacy existed, one neither of them had ever experienced. Danger would come. It lurked outside like an evil cloak waiting to suffocate them. But for the moment they relaxed into their newfound relationship; never again would they be alone.
Chapter Fifteen
Gillian sat at the black metal table, tracing her fingers over the small diamond grate. Her face was frozen with anger, glaring at the witch sitting across from her. After making love and eating breakfast, she’d had a leisurely shower and then taken some photos of the bayou abutting Dimitri’s home. The slow-moving stream teemed with wildlife and she’d snapped some amazing shots of an egret in flight. A snake swam across the surface of the water and she squealed but still managed to capture its image.
Her relaxation came to crash when Dimitri told her that it was time to go see Ilsbeth. No matter how many times she told herself that the witch was going to help Dimitri, her intuition told her otherwise. As soon as they entered the tiny bricked courtyard of the private café, her stomach knotted in consternation.
There was something about Ilsbeth that bothered her. While she’d been cordial, shaking Gillian’s hand, introducing her to the handsome sorcerer she’d brought to help Dimitri, the petite angelic-looking woman gave her the chills. It wasn’t lost on her how the witch had kissed Dimitri’s cheeks, lingering seconds longer than necessary. Gillian tried to shake off the feeling that something was wrong. She tried to blame it on their impending mating; her cat would resent any female touching her mate. It was natural to distrust others, especially a woman who’d been in Dimitri’s bed. Despite the nagging concerns, Gillian sucked a breath, resolving that she’d give her the benefit of the doubt. Her first priority was Dimitri and she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize their chances of finding a spell, a cure for his affliction.
The waitress set their drinks on the table and Gillian nodded, giving thanks. She immediately picked up her diet cola, wishing she’d ordered rum to go in it. Having restraint she hadn’t known she possessed, she forced herself to calmly listen to the discussion as if the woman sitting across from her hadn’t fucked her mate a half dozen times. She glanced to Dimitri, who had his eyes pinned on Ilsbeth and the sorcerer. Jake sat on her left side and when she turned to him, he gave her a sympathetic smile. Logan, the Alpha, sat next to Dimitri, but she could tell he planned on letting his beta handle the situation. The tension was so thick she thought it’d wilt the ferns hanging from the balconies.
“Marcus has told me of a spell that can reverse the taint on your soul,” Ilsbeth began.
“Reverse? Don’t you mean remove?” Dimitri asked.
Gillian resisted the urge to reach for him. The tone of his voice, low and dominant, called both to her need to comfort and the desire to submit. She coiled her fingers around her tall glass, ensuring she’d keep her hands to herself. There was no room for mistakes. She refused to allow her impulsivity to distract him.
“Remove, reverse. Whatever,” Ilsbeth repeated. “It’s not as if this happens every day. I’ve lived almost as long as you have and I’ve never met one shifter who’s lost his wolf. Marcus, on the other hand, has experienced it.”
“In the 1960s, I worked a case,” Marcus said.
“He offers his services to hire for humans,” Ilsbeth interrupted with a note of disdain.
“Yes, Ilsbeth is correct,” he agreed, visibly annoyed with her assessment. “Supernaturals aren’t the only ones worthy to receive our gifts. But I digress…in the case I’d worked, the shifter had become involved with a human, one who’d suffered from possession. As you can imagine, the Church was involved. After the cleansing, the man, let’s call him John for the sake of our discussion. Within weeks of the exorcism, John was unable to shift.”
“Were you able to use a spell to resolve the issue?” Dimitri asked.
“Yes, we were, but it was a nasty demon who’d metaphysically leapt from one soul to another. I understand from Ilsbeth that your entity is more parasitic in nature. Given that it’s non-intelligent, technically, it should be easier to oust.”
“Surely it has an instinct to survive?” Dimitri challenged.
“Like any parasite, it’s deriving benefit without a true symbiotic relationship. Unlike the demon, which seeks to kill its host, it seeks only to exist without motivation. If it kills its host, that would result in its own demise.”
“But it is killing my wolf. I mean, the stuff Ilsbeth’s given me has helped. Between that and Gillian…” Dimitri looked to her, as if to ask for her permission to tell them what she’d done to help him. Her ability to heal was a gift, one she hadn’t shared with many people.
“No, it’s okay,” Gillian said. She saw no harm in divulging this information. In contrast to Ilsbeth’s secretive disposition, Marcus seemed open and willing to share his experiences. Gillian steeled her nerves, looking to both Dimitri and Logan. “I, um, I can heal people sometimes. Only shifters…at least that’s how it’s worked so far. It’s not like I really get to test it all that often. It’s not super-powerful or anything, but I was able to pull back his wolf. You know, in California when Dimitri couldn’t shift. When we’re together…”
Dimitri reached for her hand, taking it in his and kissed it. “When we are together, skin to skin, I can feel her positive vibes. But it’s not working as much. Whatever this is, it’s getting stronger.”
“Interesting…your abilities.” Marcus paused. “It makes perfect sense, though. Even just a week ago, the parasite, it was newer, a larva if you will. But now that it’s grown, it’s larger, stronger, not as easily subdued by your efforts.”
“If it kills my wolf, then it will die?”
“Well, yes. It feeds off your magic…the inherent energy that feeds your wolf, causing you to shift. But I’m afraid if it comes to that, you cannot go back.”
“But you can fix it?” Logan interjected.
“The spell we used…for John, it was successful. Ilsbeth and I have discussed the necessary arrangements, and it can be done. But you’ll need to acquire the blood. It must be given to you freely, of course.”
“Of course,” Dimitri said sarcastically. He’d already given Ilsbeth hair from his wolf, gifting it to her in an attempt to make amends for their argument. Clearly that hadn’t worked.
“Blood?” Gillian couldn’t help but gasp at the suggestion.
“Vampire blood,” I
lsbeth stated coolly.
“That’s easy enough…I’ll ask Leo,” Dimitri told her.
“It must be a female,” Ilsbeth added. “Tell me, do you know any lady vamps willing to give you their blood?”
Dimitri returned her icy stare. Her comment made him suspect she’d been stalking him.
“Leo’s introduced me to some vamps. I’ll ask him to help me.”
“I’m sure he has,” Ilsbeth retorted.
“Is there something you want to say, witch? ‘Cause if there is, out with it. I don’t have time for games.”
“Nothing…just saying that Léopold gets around. I’m sure the two of you have had your adventures.”
“In which case, it would be no business of yours,” Dimitri replied.
“I’m not sure what you’re getting at but I can assure you that all I care about is the spell. Even though we no longer are seeing each other,” Ilsbeth looked to Gillian, “that doesn’t mean I don’t care. We shall do the spell when you get the blood.”
“Is there anything else I need to know? Any other freaky-ass ingredients you need?”
“Dimitri, I don’t know you that well,” Marcus began. He took a deep breath and sighed. “I’m going to be straight with you.”
“Please do.”
“With these kinds of things…”
“The leech on my wolf?”
“Yes, well, that’s one way of putting it. You don’t have much time. If this thing is successful, it’ll kill your wolf within the week,” Marcus surmised.
“The end game?” Dimitri asked.
“You won’t be able to shift. Ever again.” Marcus spoke with an eerie calmness.
“I’d be mortal,” Dimitri stated. He breathed deeply, letting his anger settle like volcanic ash smothering a mountain. It was important his Alpha realize the severity of the situation. He’d no longer be pack. Like other humans, he’d age, die. His life as a wolf would end.
It wasn’t as if Gillian hadn’t considered what could happen to Dimitri. It was no different than what she was facing by agreeing to mate him. But it was the exchange between Dimitri and Ilsbeth that captured her attention, noting that his cool demeanor had been replaced with controlled irritation. While he may have dated the witch, her words had drawn his ire. Provoking Dimitri, she supposed, took a lot of effort, yet Ilsbeth deliberately had pressed him. Gillian wasn’t sure why her question had the effect that it did, but her intuition told her it all had to do with their previous relationship. As she quietly mulled over what Ilsbeth had said, Gillian imagined it might have to do with another woman.
Dimitri tugged at her hand, alerting her that it was time to leave. She pushed out of her chair, wondering about where they were going to find a vampire. Gillian supposed she should have been afraid, but after being captured by wolves, twice, all she cared about was getting the blood. Too bad it had to be given willingly, she thought. Otherwise, she’d happily hold someone down to get a tiny sample.
When she thought about not being able to shift again, she knew she’d be crushed. But Dimitri had so much more to lose…his beast, his place within the pack, his family.
As they left the restaurant, Gillian turned her head to catch one more glimpse of the witch. Her eyes locked on Ilsbeth’s, and it felt as if the witch was reaching into her chest. A chill blew over her arms, causing gooseflesh to rise. Gillian recoiled from her gaze, bringing Dimitri’s arm around her shoulders. In her gut, she knew that the witch sought her harm. Maybe she had everyone else in the room fooled, but Gillian knew otherwise. Witches kept hocus pocus in their bag of tricks, but tigers took no prisoners. If Ilsbeth wanted to start something, she could bring it, because Dimitri was hers.
Chapter Sixteen
I’m not afraid of vampires. Gillian repeated the phrase as she walked into the dangerous club, Mordez. She dug deep, searching for the courage that she knew existed in her inner kitty. Yet as she took in her surroundings, she reasoned that she was close to being more like the cowardly lion. As she ran through the excuses in her mind for her lack of courage, her reaction seemed perfectly reasonable. In order for her to shift, she’d have to waste precious seconds stripping off her dress. Vamps on the other hand, had the advantage of speed and were always ready to go, their fangs protruding like nails from their gums.
Dimitri had warned her on the way over to the bar to stay close. From the way he spoke, he wasn’t exceptionally fond of the establishment, even if Léopold was a close friend. They had entered via a back entrance, a tunnel through a labyrinth of underground hallways. Gillian held onto the back of Dimitri’s shirt as he and Léopold parted their way through the crowd. Blinding strobe lights flashed as the band raged toward the back of the room. The low bass pounded loudly, the vibrations filtering throughout the arena. Hard driving heavy metal music blasted them as they reached their final destination.
Some patrons wore gothic clothing and some dressed as if they’d gone to a New York City night club. Many had a dazed, sexual look in their eyes, dancing, drinking, feeding and fucking. It was a chaotic contained free-for-all.
A pale human female writhed on the copper bar. Her breasts exposed and skirt hiked up to her hips, she moaned in ecstasy as two males fed from her. One was latched on at her neck, pinching her nipples; the other suckled from her inner thigh. The threesome appeared oblivious to the crowd that had gathered to watch. Uninterested parties hailed the bartender as if the spectacle was nothing more than a common occurrence.
Gillian contemplated Dimitri’s demeanor. On the way back from meeting with Ilsbeth, he’d been uncharacteristically quiet. No jokes or sexual innuendos. He’d been all business, calling Léopold and discussing whether or not they’d bring her with them. Gillian had insisted she come to help get the vampire blood. With Dimitri’s wolf weakened, she couldn’t bear to leave her mate alone, unprotected.
Although she hadn’t told them, she had every intention of shifting if danger presented itself. A wolf or vampire, she was not. But her tiger would battle to the death to protect Dimitri. Regardless of her fear, fight or flight response invoked, she’d fight to the death.
Through the din, Gillian heard Dimitri say something to Léopold, pointing to a raised section of tables. Flowing sheets of white satin hung from the ceiling, bunching onto the floor, effectively separating the area into individual alcoves. Black lights shone onto the white leather sofas and chairs, creating the illusion of privacy within VIP seating.
Jake extended his hand, ushering her onto a loveseat. Dimitri sat next to her while Léopold and Jake took captain chairs across from them. A waitress dressed in a black leather corset and matching panties approached, setting down drinks they hadn’t ordered. Léopold laughed and picked up the glass, nodding to her with a cool, knowing smile.
Confused, Gillian glanced to Dimitri, who had already brought the amber liquid to his lips. Although she’d never seen him so serious and determined, she found this new side to him captivating. Exuding sex appeal and power, Dimitri appeared to be unaware of all the females taking note of his arrival. Casually dressed, he wore loose jeans and an untucked white shirt with rolled up sleeves. A smile crossed her face as he caught her ogling, and she laughed. The respite from the dark mood was welcome, yet short lived.
Two women approached and Gillian noted that Dimitri’s expression had turned to stone. A striking woman glided toward them, her presence bringing a new level of electricity to the air. Refined, she looked as if she belonged in the eighteen hundreds, her gothic velvet gown trailing behind her. Her blood-red lips accentuated her creamy-white skin and her dark brown hair was coiffed into an updo. Looking as if she’d stepped off the cover page of a romance novel, she smiled and nodded at each person in their party. A second woman, wearing a hot-pink spandex bodysuit, followed.
Nervous, Gillian took a sip of her drink and coughed as it burned her throat. She looked down to her floral mini-sundress and thought she should have worn a different outfit. On second thought, her platform shoes showed off th
e lean contours of her legs and were easy to shuck in case she needed to shift. She owned a corset and as much as she enjoyed the way it looked, it took considerable time to get it laced up correctly. When she’d worn it, she’d been locked in tight, making shifting difficult.
“Why hello, boys,” the beautiful woman greeted them.
“Lady Charlotte. Bonsoir,” Léopold replied, standing. “Thank you for meeting with us,”
“How’s your lovely nymph?” she asked.
“Naiad. She’s doing very well,” he answered.
“Dimitri, so good to see you.” She extended her delicate fingers toward him.
“Lady Char. Thanks for having us. You look, um,” he paused, reaching to shake her hand. “Mysterious, very chic. That dress is one of a kind.”
“Why thank you. I take it your Alpha is well.”
“Logan’s doing great, thanks.”
“Jake, long time no see,” she remarked.
“Hello,” he replied.
“Ah, Dimitri, you’ve brought a friend.” Lady Charlotte set her vision on Gillian. “So pretty. And young.”
Gillian concentrated, forcing herself to breathe slowly, controlling her heartbeat that threatened to race, revealing her trepidation. As the vampiress leaned forward, Gillian took her hand. She’d expected a simple exchange but Lady Charlotte held tight, taking the opportunity to hug her, sniffing her hair.
“Fascinating,” she laughed, releasing Gillian. She placed her palm on Dimitri’s arm. “Where did you find her?”
“We found each other.” Glancing at Gillian, who appeared exceedingly calm, he sought to make it clear that she belonged to him. The excitement on Lady Charlotte’s face indicated that Gillian had piqued her interest. “Gilly, this is Lady Charlotte. She owns this fine establishment. A good friend of Leo’s. Lady Charlotte, this is Gilly. She’s my mate.”