by Morgan Hawke
~ Two ~
Wrapped tight in her 'don't notice me' spell, Sygni trailed the tall, dark and gorgeous intruder down into the second-story vaulted Arcanum library room. She leaned casually against a nearby bookcase to watch him.
He jerked around and scanned the corners of the room.
Sygni nodded. He definitely knows he's being watched. Too bad the spell covers scent and sound as well as sight.
Cautiously he turned back to the shelf that occupied his attention with his shoulders slightly hunched. His hand moved in a blur of speed as he scanned book spines while muttering soft curses.
Sygni nodded. Yep, definitely a thief...
Long minutes passed.
Boredom made Sygni's shoulders ache with unused tension. Okay, enough with playing Hide and Seek. Lets see how he feels about Tag. Sygni waved her hand in dismissal, dissipating her concealment spell. Her lighter clicked loudly as she lit her cigarette.
His dark head shot up and he jerked around. The look of total astonishment in his black eyes was absolutely precious.
Sygni loosed a long stream of smoke. “Find anything interesting?"
He clenched his jaw, cocking his brow. “No. You?” His voice rumbled with tension.
"As a matter of fact, I have.” Sygni straightened and flicked ash from her cigarette. “A thief.” She smiled.
"I see.” His brows lowered and he stilled utterly.
Sygni tilted her head in inquiry. What will you do, pretty beast? Attack or run?
He bolted in a blur of speed.
He ran. Sygni nodded. Good. He's not a killer by nature. She took a breath of cigarette smoke, then casually walked after him. There was in no hurry. Sooner or later he was going to hit one of the 'no exit here' spells stretched across one of the windows and doors. All she had to do was wait for the spell to trap him, then go collect her prize.
* * * *
Sygni found her quarry in the upper gallery before the window he had originally entered. He was facing inward with his arms outstretched between two of the big support pillars. The magic had solidified to appear as chains clasped tight around his powerful wrists, holding him fast between the pillars. Apparently he had felt the spell activate, because his inhuman speed had allowed him to turn around before the spell had fully ensnared him.
He jerked back and forth in an attempt to break free. his jacket ripping under the bunching muscles of his shoulders. “Son of a bitch!"
Sygni winced. He was obviously very strong, but her spells could hold demons. “Don't pull too much, you'll only hurt yourself."
He his head jerked up and he glared at her. His black eyes were hot with fury, but he stopped pulling at the chains. His voice rasped around overlong incisors. “Did you do this?"
Sygni nodded. “I'm afraid so.” She couldn't stop looking at him. By Hela, he was handsome, fangs not withstanding. Even in anger he moved with a feral muscular grace.
He clenched his hands into fists. “Let me go."
Sygni snorted. “Let you go? But I just caught you."
He tightened his jaw. “So, now what?"
Sygni tilted her head. Good question. Now that she had him, what should she do with him? How about a little interrogation? “What's your name?"
He lifted his chin. “What's yours?"
She dropped her cigarette and squashed it with her toe. “I'm Sygni."
His brows shot up. “I don't think I've heard that one before."
Sygni shrugged. “Mom had a thing for Norse myths."
"Well, Sygni, I'm Galen.” He smiled with all the power his sheer rugged good looks could deliver. “And you look good enough to eat."
Sygni swallowed as her nipples tingled in flagrant interest. Hela's tits, what a smile! “Thanks, Galen, so do you."
"Really?” Galen licked his lips. “Then how about you letting me loose so we can do something far more interesting than yap?"
Sygni raised a cool brow. “Love to, but first I think a few answers are in order, handsome."
Galen's smile broadened. “So, you think I'm handsome?"
"Sure.” Sygni curled her lip. “In a brawny, sweaty, animalistic kind'a way."
Galen snorted. “Close, but not quite right.” He smiled, flashing the full length of his fangs. “Do you have any idea what I am?"
Sygni pursed her lips. “Well, you're not human."
He nodded slowly. “You got that right, and if you know what's good for you, you'll let me go before I lose my temper."
Sygni opened her eyes wide and clasped her hands together in mock fear. “Goodness, what ever will you do to me?"
Galen leaned forward to the full extend of his chains. “First I'm going to jerk those tight leather pants down and spank that round bottom of yours, then I'm going to fuck you till you can't walk."
Sygni couldn't stop her smile, or the sudden wet throb in her core. “Oh, that sounds kinky!"
Galen nodded. “And if you take too much longer to let me go, I'm also going to take that pretty throat and slake my undead thirst on your blood."
Sygni hissed. All of a sudden the shimmer of darkness she had been feeling in the handsome beast's aura made sense. “You're a vampire?"
Galen nodded with satisfaction. “Yep. And I'm getting harder and hungrier by the second, sweet-cakes."
Sygni clenched her hands at her sides. Of all the stupid things to be ... “Did you do this to yourself? Did you deliberately turn yourself into a vampire?"
"Uh, no.” Galen abruptly blushed and turned his gaze away. “Being a vampire was not my idea."
Sygni rocked back on her heels. Mother Night, someone made him into a vampire? Of all the careless things to do to someone! A vampire was permanently stuck on a liquid diet and active for only half the day. They couldn't ever have a family or hold a real job. Their whole life was screwed. She scowled. “Who did this to you?"
Galen raised his chin and curled his lip. “What? Are you actually concerned for me?"
Sygni snorted and set her hands on her hips. “There aren't a whole lot of people who can do this, and even fewer that can fix this, so yeah, I'm pretty damned concerned."
He shook his head and sighed. “Sorry, babe, I was raised from the grave about two weeks ago. I can't be fixed."
Sygni's mouth fell open. “You were raised?” Piss and damnation ... Somebody was playing with serious magic if they had raised a vampire from a corpse. She turned away. Damn, this pissed her off. Vampirism was reversible, to some degree, but because they dug him out of the ground somewhere, there wasn't even a chance. If anyone tried to pull the spell off of him, he'd just go back to being a corpse. She turned back and shook her head. “Shit, I'm sorry, but you're right. You can't be fixed."
"It's okay. I'm getting used to it.” Galen shrugged. “As far as I'm concerned, every day above ground is a good day.” He focused his dark gaze on her. “So, how about letting me loose?"
Sygni snorted. “Nice try. How about telling me what you were looking for?"
Galen unleashed his devastating smile. “How about I explore with my mouth that wet cunt that I can smell from all the way over here?” He licked his lips.
Sygni smiled. “First things first, vampire.” She lifted her hand and collected a handful of power. A wreath of red mist encircled her palm. “Now, do I get an answer as to what you are looking for in this castle, or do I get creative on you?"
Galen bared his teeth. “I'd love to see you get creative—while pinned on my dick..."
Sygni smiled and shook her head. “Oh, that was naughty...” She waved her hand and the mist leaped over to the vampire, and coalesced all over him.
"Hey!” He jerked back in alarm. “What the hell is all this shit!"
"Magic.” Sygni sketched a rune with her outstretched fingers. “Since you brought up the subject of your dick...” Her smile broadened. “Lets see what kind of a package you have!” She snapped her fingers. “Dispel!"
The mist abruptly cleared, leaving an enraged and thoroughly na
ked, vampire still chained to the pillars. Lightly furred muscled rippled across his chest and in his powerful thighs. The dark fur thinned as it arrowed straight down his muscular belly in a yummy-trail to his cock. He was long, thick, gracefully curved and urgently erect. Just the way she liked them.
Sygni pursed her lips in appreciation. “Oh, that is ... nice."
He bared his long teeth. “You perverted bitch!"
"Is that the best you can come up with?” Sygni snorted. “And you have no idea just how perverted I can be."
Galen jerked on his chains. “When I get out of this..."
"You...” She raised her hand, and called another batch of power to her palm. “Will be very polite and very apologetic, if and when I decide to let you go. In the meantime, I have questions that need answers, Fang-boy."
He sneered. “I am not telling you shit, lady."
Sygni pouted and raised her palm. “Oh, dear ... and I was so admiring all that long, pretty hair. I guess it'll just have to go..."
Galen's black eyes widened. “You wouldn't dare..."
Sygni smiled. “I'm sure it'll all grow back ... eventually."
He winced. “Look, just ... don't. Not the hair, okay? I'm dead, I don't know if it will grow back."
Sygni smiled. Vanity, thy name is vampire ... Unable to resist the lure of his powerful body, she stepped up to him and swept her unoccupied hand down his broad chest. His hair felt like silk in her fingers. He was surprisingly warm under her palm. Somehow she thought he'd be colder to the touch, more ... dead. “Who sent you, Galen?"
"Fuck...” He turned away. “Take my damned hair."
"How about...” Sygni raked her fingers down his stomach, watching the muscles roll under her fingertips. “I take your virginity instead?"
Galen glared at her from only inches away. “Why don't you just torture me and get it over with?"
"Good idea.” She smiled. “Torture is good for the soul...” She grasped his sleek, warm hardness. “Just ask the Catholics.” She squeezed.
He gasped and jerked back, but not out of reach. “Jesus wept, lady..."
She dispelled her ball of power so she could explore him with both hands. He was incredibly firm and nearly hot. “My, Galen, you are a big boy...” She brushed her thumb across the plum head and felt moisture. He was close...
He groaned, then licked his lips, pushing himself against her palms. “Why don't you kneel down and take a closer look ... with your mouth?"
"So, you like my mouth?” She smiled and leaned against his chest, but well out of fang range. Her tongue darted out to rasp his flat nipple to urgent attention. “Mmm ... tasty..."
His breath exploded from his open mouth. “Fuck..."
"Would you like that?” She leaned over to lick his other nipple. “My mouth on your cock?” She caught his hard nub in her teeth.
He choked and his cock pulsed in her hand. “I would fucking kill for your mouth!"
"Good.” She stroked his hardness with both hands and smiled. “Would you like me to lick you all over?” She reached under him to cup his firm balls. “Even here?” Her fingers slid under and up to brush the sensitive ring of his anus.
He jerked. “Hey! Watch where your fingers are going!"
"I know exactly where they are.” Sygni bit her lip in amusement. “Don't tell me you've never had a rim-job?"
"I usually deliver them.” He angled his head to peer down at her and fire ignited in the dark heart of his black eyes. “To cute little sorceresses that like to bite off more than they can chew.” He bared his long teeth in a feral smile. “Right before I shove my cock right up their tight little asses."
"Well, now that sounds like fun.” Sygni smiled. “However...” She tugged firmly on his cock, giving him a few hard strokes that forced gasps from his lips. “It looks to me like you were the one who bit off more than he could chew, Fang-boy."
"Blood and hell, lady! Either make me cum or let my dick go!"
Sygni raised her hand and licked her palm. “I'd love to make you cum.” She gripped him tightly with one hand and rubbed her wet palm vigorously across the sensitive head of his cock.
He threw back his head and howled. “Then fucking do it! Quit teasing me, you sadistic bitch!"
Sygni smiled. He was very close to breaking. She really was a sadistic bitch. Too bad for him ... “Who sent you, darlin'?"
He choked and jerked back on the chains. “Ah, fuck ... I can't."
Sygni pouted up at him. “But I was so looking forward to finding out what you taste like.” She licked her lips.
He focused on her mouth and groaned. “Look, I can't...” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I can't tell you who sent me, okay? I just ... can't."
"You can't?” She released him and unbuckled her jacket. She parted her silk blouse to reveal the upper swell of her breasts. “Are you sure?"
His gaze locked on her breasts. “I can't, I really can't.” His voice was a breathy whisper. “Damnation, Sygni, you have nice tits."
"Thank you, Galen. They're firm, too. Are you absolutely sure you can't tell me who sent you?” She shoved one side of the leather over to expose her flushed and hardened nipple. She grasped the swollen point in her fingers and pinched, rolling it for him. “Because I really want to fuck you.” Her core pulsed with moist heat. She really did want to fuck him. In fact, she hoped he told her what she wanted to know soon or she was going to climb up and rape him while he hung in those chains.
A small sound suspiciously like a whimper escaped his throat. “Damn you...” He closed his eyes and turned away, gasping for breath. “No, I can't tell you.” He shook his head firmly. “I can't! Okay?"
"Why not, handsome?” She pressed her bared breast against his broad chest. “The sooner you tell me, the sooner we get busy."
He groaned. “Because the guy that sent me makes you look like Glinda the Good Witch."
She winced. “Oh, you do know how to hurt a girl...” She reached up and captured his nipple in her nails. She pinched, hard.
"Ow, shit...” He gasped and shuddered. “Look, I can't okay? He's a nasty-ass son of a bitch and I'm grave-dust if I tattle."
Sygni's eyes opened wide. “He has a dispel on you?"
Galen gave her a bitter smile. “You could call it that. He says I'm set to go poof in a big way if I even hint at his name."
"Piss ... I've been there myself before.” Sygni nodded. “All right, if you can't tell me who sent you, what can you tell me?"
Galen dropped his head. “I was sent to get a book."
Sygni propped her hands on her hips. “Big surprise, this is a library. How about telling me something I don't know?"
He jerked his head away. “It's the Book of the Moon."
Sygni raised a brow. “That book isn't even here."
He shook his head and sighed. “He says it's here, and I have to get it or I go poof."
"Sorry, stud.” Sygni shook her head and smiled. “It used to be here, but it's not anymore. I have it."
Galen's head jerked up. “You? You have it?"
Sygni nodded and leaned against him until the heat of his cock pressed tight against her belly. “So, what'll you give me for it?"
His eyes narrowed to fiery slits. “Any damn thing you want, as long as I get it well before dawn."
Sygni smiled. “How do you feel about motorcycles?"
He tilted his head. “Huh?"
Sygni tilted her head. “It's at my condo, and I'm riding the bike tonight."
Galen snorted and gave her a sarcastic smile. “Hello? I'm naked?"
Sygni licked her lips and grinned. “You know, I had noticed that.” She stepped back and sighed. “Pity the cops will stop us if you stay that way.” She turned away. “I'll be back in a bit."
"Hey! Where are you going?"
Sygni raised her hand and kept walking. “I'm off to see what Morwyn has in her closet, I'm sure I can find something to fit you."
Galen jerked at the chains that h
eld him. “You're just going to leave me here? Like this?"
"Yep!” Sygni's laughter echoed down the gallery hallway.
~ Three ~
"I don't care if it's leather...” A growl boiled from Galen's chest. “You are not making me wear a skirt."
Sygni grinned up at the chained vampire and wrapped the broad leather belt around his waist. “It's not a skirt, it's a kilt.” With nimble fingers she began fastening the quadruple row of buckles that held the floor-length pleated leather closed.
"In case you haven't noticed, I am not a female!"
Sygni snorted as she tightened the last buckle. “When were you buried? Leather kilts have been in fashion for gothic and industrial men since the 90's. Do the boots fit okay?"
Galen looked down at the heavy soled and multi-buckled combat boots. “The boots fit fine.” He rolled his eyes. “I don't believe you're doing this to me.” He glared at her and shouted. “I look stupid!"
"Morwyn did not have a single pair of trousers that would have fit you.” Sygni stepped back to admire the view. “It was this or nudity."
The kilt came high up on his waist, setting off his amazingly broad shoulders and muscular chest. The tall boots and the leather kilt with all the studs and buckles gleaming in the moonlight gave him a very aggressive, edgy and rather deliciously ferocious appearance. Of course, that could have had something to do with the red light blazing from the heart of his eyes, and the bared fangs, but hey ... ?
"I think you look very nice.” Sygni nodded. “In fact, if I saw you walking down the street like this, I'd rape you for sure."
His growl softened, but remained a vibration in her inner ear. His hands clenched into fists. “How the hell am I supposed to ride a motorcycle in this?"
"Same way I do...” She grinned. “You hike it up and show off lots of leg."
His eyes narrowed and surprisingly, his cheeks pinked. “Bitch."
"I've been called worse.” Sygni shrugged and stepped back. “All right then, I'm going to free your arms.” She raised a cautionary finger and bit her lip to contain her grin. “Be good.” She raised both hands and spat out the complicated formula that rearranged her spell.