“Keeland—” Legs hooked over his hips. He shut down incoherent blabber with those heart-reviving lips.
No more talking. Nails dug into the muscles of his back as he began to push effortlessly into her molten core.
Just feel.
Here goes another one: she never thought she’d ever make love with a person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
Epilogue
Two Months Later
Oh, Gods, this is it.
Veronica stood in Keeland’s penthouse bathroom, gazing at the mirror. Her reflection appeared nervous. Restless, fingers fumbled with the hem of the silk nightie she wore.
Excited? Immensely so. Cheeks like succulent apples, her smile wattage could light the entire island. In love... boy, was she ever.
Feminine toiletries neatly sat on one end of the long sink. They, along with clothes and other items, had migrated to Keeland’s home over the last couple of weeks. She’d been increasingly happy with the progress made to molding her apartment into a new home, but one will never know what a home truly is until their heart screams—Bitch, it’s over here! Let’s go!
Hence why stilettos now lay next to Keeland’s loafers by the closet. Our closet. A bit of ways off from making the transition complete, instead they were going for a pleasant and steady pace. Nevertheless, solidifying a partnership, a permanent magic bond, guaranteed to happen just around the corner.
Becoming mated.
And tonight, was the third and final night of the Blood Mate ritual.
Coincidentally, it’s exactly on the twenty-second day of the month, the same numbered day when she first reported for the assistant job for Keeland.
Lovely Fates, expect a fruit basket in the mail soon.
By morning, they would be mated, bonded by blood and soul, for all eternity. Smiling, Veronica recalled the memory of the big office party that happened after George Matthews officially opened his bar for business to the citizens of Vegas and how Keeland had popped a champagne bottle and then kissed her.
In front of everyone.
More cheers erupted after that. Mona had shouted, “It’s about damn time!”
She had known all along.
The whole office did—a long running bet had finally come to an end.
Smiling, Veronica smoothed the material of the bright red negligee. It was completely see-through, showcasing everything. The man on the other side of the door was just going to tear it off. With that in mind, she exited to find Keeland reading in bed. Their gazes locked over the book and he immediately set it aside.
He broke contact to slip his arm underneath the pillow next to him and pull out a box. The scent of sugar and blood entered her nose.
Oh, wow. A Sweet Suffering box. “Is getting kinky with cupcakes our thing now?” she beamed.
“Absolutely.” He placed the pink and white box on the nightstand and opened it to swipe a finger across a cupcake then crook it at me. “Get over here.” So bossy. She loved it.
He licked his lips at the sight of her as she approached. She mimicked him—well hello, he had icing on his finger. That was fucking hot. Straddling his naked waist, she sucked it off, earning his groans. He pulled out, then her neck occupied his gentle hold, positioning her flat down, and settled between her thighs.
“Look at me,” he said just as her eyes began to close. Staring at each other, they kissed endlessly, moaning in harmony. Sweeping long strands of hair away, Keeland raised her neck. “I love you, Veronica.”
“I love you too... Boss Man.”
He laughed, peppering kisses, building the need that was soon to possess them. To finalize what they started.
It was one last business deal to sign off.
“Mine... all mine.” Keeland traced the marks his fangs had made the previous night, shooting sparks through every nerve of her body.
She trembled. “Yes.” A meek word said while clinging to him. Braced and ready, lips brushed against on the identical fang marks she’d created on him. “Mine, too.”
He growled low, gaining her own feral sounds as his grew in volume. Amping. Entities expanding inside the two. Then he roared, plunging his fangs into flesh at the same he plunged his thick cock inside her pussy. She screamed, breaking to cry out, then screamed again, feeling ecstasy enter from all angles.
After the first pull of blood he took—she bit him. He smelled and tasted like home. As each of themselves, flowing in the other’s body, a yellow light blinded Veronica. Gone was the bedroom. Warm soothing pleasure turned her legs and arms weightless and flooded the brain with peace.
And there, she never thought it could happen.
Her heart stirred.
In the sea of yellow, she saw a bridge. On it stood Keeland, his form broad and tall among the light. His handsome face broke in the biggest smile. In the darkened life she thought inevitably she would surrender to, a life to be without this overwhelming warmth, to be soulless like the people she’d detached from; living up to the loveless, cold legacy vampires are plagued with—I fucking conquered it all.
She proved quite wrong that creatures with un-beating hearts—deemed black holes—they could still be objects to absorb and give love.
Undead or not. Love is real.
A love so supernatural.
And it would surround me every day, with Keeland Elwood by my side...
Another Epilogue
One Week Later
“She said she’d only be gone a few minutes.”
Keeland pictured Mona shrugging on the other end of the line. He rubbed his jaw, sighing, and becoming anxious. That’s how it was now. “All right. Thanks.” Hanging up, he closed his eyes and tapped into locating his mate.
After the last night of the ritual, an invisible web wound around his waist, connecting to her, and began feeling the other’s emotions and location. It was wild at first, but they’d adapted quite quickly. And man, when the job begins to crawl under his skin Veronica, his beautiful, dark wicked woman is front and center to yank him off the ledge of becoming Office Destroyer again.
I should really talk to someone about my anger issues...
The invisible web vibrated faintly, like a guitar string; she was still in The Tower, however... below him.
He picked up her nervousness, it slowly building as he felt her begin to get closer—she was on an elevator. The raging love tingles never dimmed. He knew she sensed his wouldn’t either.
What was she doing floors away from him?
Minutes passed and finally she made her appearance—coming straight into the office, a wide smile on her glowing face. Her long raven hair was a little messy, but that just reminded him what she looked like after a damn good fuck.
He wouldn’t have minded a couple of those in the hidden room right now, the certified Quick Screw Room. But first...
“Where have you been, love?” He walked around to stand before her. She shifted on either heel. Yes, definitely nervous.
“Here.” The wattage of her smile blinked in and out as she handed over a manila folder. Cautiously taking it, Keeland was puzzled by her different, swinging emotions. He still wanted to know where she’d been. Not my floor. Where then? Possessiveness triggered.
“Veronica—”
“Oh, come on Keeland, open it.” She bounced, glanced at a chair, then thought better of sitting and instead continued to stand—uneasily?
Or excited? Yeah, that too. What was going on?
Keeland put an end to further delay and held the single, official document from the folder. Not regarding Resurrect. None of the company’s forms were green.
The header read: Grimstone Medical Lab Testing.
A frown appeared. The labs were located on the thirtieth floor and a few more below that. Keeland glanced at his mate. Guilt mingled with eagerness in her ruby eyes. So that’s where you’ve been...
Wait, why?
“Look here.” She tapped the sheet, but he caught after more scanning this was a patient document.
Hers.
“What is the meaning of this?” Panic choked his throat. “Is—is something wrong?” How could he have missed an issue with his mate? What—
“Keeland, you goof, look.” She ripped the paper away and folded it, stabbing an index finger to a box.
PREGNENACY DECECTION: Positive.
All the air drained from Keeland’s lungs.
“You... you’re...” He rocked, the desk the only thing helping him stay upright. Shit, I’m a seven-foot, grown man who was about to collapse. Veronica tugged his tie down, kissing him—that he registered fine, but what she was saying—he couldn’t.
The bolded words were read over and over again, searing into his skull, until they blurred.
First ringing chimed in his ears then in a whoosh, he heard everything.
“Keeland, I’m pregnant!”
“Veronica.” he smiled, cheekbone ach worthy, and searched her eyes. The news was true. Gods, so true it turned her red eyes to a bold pink. Happiness held them suspended. He tugged her blouse from the waistband of her skirt. On his knees, he faced her flat stomach.
Flat, for now.
“Baby?” He kissed it. She erupted in sobs and laughs.
“Yes! A Baby! I suspected for a couple days now, researching signs as to why all sweet-tasting blood suddenly become really hot and tingly—turns out, that’s one glaring sign. Poor Sera’s cupcakes!” She laughed, clapping, not at all upset. “I wonder if everything will become the opposite? These new mama taste buds should be interesting.”
Mama.
Me... a father.
Wow.
“Male or female, I have a feeling they’ll have their father’s bossy attitude,” she grinned.
Standing, Keeland grabbed and kissed her. “Damn right he or she will.”
And they’ll also have their mother’s ability to beam gold, nourishing light into the darkest of corners with just a single smile.
The End...for now.
GRIMSTONE GLOSSARY
Explore the island and ways of life for its preternatural citizens
Location: In uncharted waters in the central Pacific—within equal distance between North
America and Asia. It’s invisible to mortals. While sailing in the direction or near the island, spelled waters and air will automatically manipulate human minds to steer onto a different course without a trace of remembrance of the area nor sudden change.
Island access: All supernaturals may come to Grimstone, whether they seek acceptance, want a home, or are visiting loved ones. There is no vetting process. Entry points for supernaturals traveling on commercial ships or airplanes are readily available and are shielded by invisibility wards. It’s important to get wards ahead of time if individuals travel to the Island by private means. No one is confined to the island. Anyone may leave at any time.
Supernatural Crime Force (SCF):
Crime prevention on the island, it is similar to a police force. The organization has units
in the human world as well. SCF monitors paranormal and human activity in the
outside world. Supernatural related crimes in human territory get handled in a manner that won’t draw attention.
The Black Diamond group (The BDG):
A group of spies who are also scattered all over the planet. They keep the
existence of supernaturals a secret by gaining influential positions in the human’s lives. Most of these spies are in political, scientific, technical and military positions of authority around the world, especially in embassies. The supernatural public is aware of such a group, however the identities of individuals within the organization are concealed. Sworn to a
blood and magic binding secrecy, their lives are forever bound to the position.
The Tower: A 2,000-foot sleek black building that contains the offices of important businesses
and organizations as well as protection insurance pertaining to Grimstone and the foreign affairs that secretly connects them to the human world. It’s also headquarters to the supernatural criminal force and BDG. The Galzra dragon family governing originates here, creating laws and rules for specified species. Many floors contain science labs for supernatural studies and tech teams that help the SCF and BDG.
Adela: Life, Unity, and Magic. These three words beat in repeat like a heart inside the sacred tree. It glows in reminder to everyone on the Island of Grimstone. Over the years,
Adela became known as a spiritual element. It’s both God and Goddess. Holy Lord and Savior. And not just a great source of magic that helped create the Island. Adela is entirely made of black obsidian rock, its trunk wide and thick, its branches thin and bare, reaching long and high. A small moat of charmed salt water surrounds it, like a fountain pond. The tree was born towards the edge of the island, now established as Hallow Circle, in other words a “town square.” Oh, the irony. Rooted yards away from The Tower, Adela is freely approachable. However, protective wards are in place, intending to paralyze wrongdoers who plan to harm it. Around the clock guards are also there to monitor.
The Hallow Six: The Lords and Rulers that make up the six supernatural beings who sacrificed these listed elements to create Adela:
• A strand of fur.
• A drop of blood.
• A single scale.
• A pinch of soil.
• A wand.
• A vial of tears.
Below is the list of members in the exact order of who gave up which
element:
The Lords
• Carver Lovell (Werewolf)
• Lucien VanWrath (Vampire)
• Draco Galzra (Dragon)
The Rulers
• Oakla Elwood (Elf)
• Pebble Nightshade (Witch)
• Tide Shelborn (Merman)
Health: Human illnesses do not affect supernatural creatures. Many thousand-year-old plagues that once affected supernaturals are deemed extinct. Still, scientists located in The Tower have successfully produced cures for the deadliest and continue to work to
prevent future outbreaks and determine what other illnesses can become fatal threats.
All supernaturals can successfully conceive offspring with any type of supernatural species.
Hybrids are the norm. Different contraceptives have been engineered for
specific types of supernaturals to work best with their body chemistry.
Blood Import: All human blood is donated and legally obtained through many worldwide
facilities through funding supplied by Grimstone. All donations are shipped to Grimstone by private carrier—-unobserved by humans, of course.
Blood Mates/ The Blood Mating Ritual: Becoming eternal blood mates happens when a bite-to-bite ritual commences between two individuals, no matter the gender or species, who wholeheartedly concede to becoming mates for as long as they both shall live. The ritual takes place during intercourse for three nights in a row. Each other’s blood is exchanged and after the third night, the bond is complete, causing the couple to gauge the other’s emotions, state of
health, location, and any danger they encounter. Their love is of course intensified, they become stronger, and their senses are heightened. The bond is broken when one of the mates passes away, or with the aid of an experienced spell-caster, undergoing an excruciating long process using magic to undo the bond. In some cases, individuals come close to death upon the necessary phase of extracting a large quantity of blood. It is extremely important for those to consider carefully who they want to be with before moving forward with performing the ritual.
Relations with humans: Walking among humans is perfectly fine, however, a supernatural choosing that life must hide who they really are, and may never reveal their true nature in front of one. The practice of hunting and drinking blood from a human still happens, but doing so needs to be in a manner that does not spike their attention. If a supernatural is veering towards recklessness, the SCF will handle the situation. What happens when a human knows j
ust a little too much? Well, the courses of action that are administered are classified.
It is acceptable to be friends, interact, and engage in intimate activities with humans, but some supernaturals end up falling in love with a human. Easy to do so, yet it is always dangerous. If the SCF or the BDG find out a supernatural has attempted to perform a Blood Mate ritual —doing so requires their true self to be exposed—the outcome is automatic death for the human and imprisonment for the supernatural.
Luckily with this law going into effect centuries ago and supernatural parents’ strict upbringing on the matter, it has become rare for any to bind themselves to humans in ways that will risk either party. Another major risk: Attempted Blood Mating with a human leads to severe illness to the human and their chance of survival is extremely low. By the end they’re in a zombified state. Hours, if not minutes later, the human dies. Intentionally creating offspring with a human will lead to deformity of the mother’s body (human or supernatural) during the fetuses’ rapid growth in a week’s time after conception. Death for human mother and child soon occurs, depending on what species the father is. A supernatural woman bearing the child of a human male faces high chances of having miscarriages each time they try to conceive.
Overall, don’t fuck with humans. Literally.
Grimstone Holidays:
Mortalween (November 25th)
Supernaturals dress up as their favorite famous human for a night of candy
consumption and trickery.
Cryptmas (October 31st)
Folks set out artfully carved jack-o-lanterns, purple and orange lights leading up to the day. They exchange gifts all night during the 31st.
Adela’s Rising, Independence Day (June 11th)
Everyone on the Island joins together for festivities commemorating the magical tree and the Hallow Six.
Bloodiedtines Day (August 22nd)
Celebrates a day of carnal love.
Fangsgiving (September 16th)
Supernaturals spend the day with family, gorging on delicious homemade dishes.
Blood, Cupcakes and Wicked Business (Grimstone Island) Page 12