The Blood Trilogy

by K Loraine

  I kissed his tip, taking time to lick the head before taking as much of him into my mouth as possible. His groan ricocheted off the walls, fingers tightening in my hair, and knees buckling for an instant. I moved over him, gripping his shaft at the base as I worshipped his cock. Harsh breaths came from above me and he swelled in my mouth, the taste of his arousal filling me drop by drop.

  “Stop, little bird. Stop. I can’t spend myself in your mouth. That’s not how this works.” His words were tight and harsh as he pulled me off him.

  “But I want to taste you.”

  A grin twisted his lips. “You will. I promise.”

  He dropped to his knees, bringing us face to face before joining us in a kiss so passionate, I wondered if there was more than lust behind it. His tongue danced with mine and we fed off each other’s soft moans while we embraced, chest to chest.

  Then his hand slipped between us, one long finger playing at my slit, rubbing across the place I wanted him to touch me most. “Cash,” I moaned, breaking contact with his lips. I was begging with nothing more than his name.

  He wrapped his arm around my back and said, “Lie back and spread yourself open for me.”

  So I did. I spread my thighs and watched him crawl between them. His mouth blazed a trail over my hipbone, and I arched my back as he licked the indentation of my navel. Long fingers pressed inside my slick folds, making me moan. He nipped my waist and I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out.

  “Don’t keep yourself quiet, little bird. We’re supposed to be doing this, remember? And I’m going to make you scream before tonight is over.”

  “Such things you say,” I teased.

  I would have continued, but he dipped his head and his tongue swirled over the sensitive nub of my clit. I did scream then. I bucked and moaned and he thrust his fingers deeper as he sucked me into his mouth. My whole body burned as a million stars converged in my core before creating a supernova of sensation. “Cash, I’m—” I started to say, but he curled his fingers and sucked harder, and that supernova exploded. I screamed and cried and let the pleasure curl my toes.

  He eased away, carefully pulling out of my soaked flesh before he sucked my pleasure from his fingers. Then he wiped his glistening lips with the back of his hand. “My turn,” he murmured.

  His cock leaked pre-cum from the swollen head as he positioned himself between my thighs and stroked himself. “I’m going to mark you so there’s no doubt that you’re mine.”

  A thrill ran through me at the feral gleam in his eyes. He fitted his body as close to mine as possible without penetrating me. “Cash, what are you doing?”

  The sight of him, kneeling so close to me, his arm moving as he stroked his swollen cock, the furrow of his brow, the tension in his shoulders, it all set me off. I reached down and rolled the aching nub of my clit while he moved his hand over and back. Then he placed the crown of his shaft against my opening, not inside, just barely pushing against me. “I just need to feel you. Just for a second,” he said.

  All I could do was nod as I kicked my hips upward in welcome. I wanted him completely inside. He groaned as he breached my entrance, but true to his word, he only felt me for a second. The man pulled back, the head of his cock pressing against my lips again. We continued this way, barely inside, pulling back, all while he worked his length and I stroked my clit.

  “Please, just fuck me already,” I begged.

  He pushed inside again, only the tip, and held himself there, slowly running his hand over his length. “Make yourself come for me. I need to feel it.”

  I circled my clit over and over, watching his face the whole time. His jaw clenched and brow furrowed as he seemed to fight his desire. And then I was gone. I was alight with euphoria, pulsing and clenching with my orgasm. He groaned and pulled his cock away from my opening, a long moan of pleasure wrenching from him. His orgasm spilled across my pussy, along my belly, and my thighs. The sounds he made were desperate, almost pained. I stared at the evidence of his pleasure.

  Then, he backed away, his gaze hot on mine. “You didn’t—” I started, but he shook his head and reached between my thighs. With his hand, he began rubbing his release into my skin, across my inner thighs, over my pussy, and into the soft skin of my lower belly.

  “You’re mine. I’m all over you now.”

  My chest tightened with emotion. I wanted to be his, so badly. But I wanted us to be equals. If I stayed here, I’d be their pet and used for Elias’s devices.

  Cashel kissed his way up my body, stopping to lick and suck my nipple, his still hard cock pressing against my belly. “We’ll find a way,” he whispered. “I promise.”

  Then pressure as he covered my nipple with his lips and his fangs sank into my flesh. He fed from me, sending wave after wave of need careening through me. I knew it was part of his plan, it was his way of marking me again. He released my breast almost as soon as he’d started drinking from me, but this time, he didn’t heal the wound. This time, his mark was going to remain. He’d as good as branded me.

  21

  Cashel

  As I’d thought, my father released us from his rooms. With my mark on her breast and my cum all over her, there was no doubt I’d done my duty and bred her. It was torture for me to let her leave my side, but I had to appear indifferent. I couldn’t let my father know what we’d just done had solidified her place in my heart. I was more than hunting her. More than wanting to possess her. I was in love with her.

  Fuck.

  I raised my mental barrier and reinforced it as my Father strode into my room, a wide grin on his face. “Father,” I said.

  “She’s broken. Well done, Cashel. I knew you’d win her over eventually. The girl is besotted and if she’s not pregnant from this attempt, I’m certain you’ll have no trouble getting her to let you try again.”

  My stomach churned at the thought of him being near her. “Where is she?”

  “Safely in her quarters. As long as she cooperates, there will be no reason to cage her again.”

  “And what if my attempts at breeding her aren’t successful?”

  He arched one eyebrow. “Then you’ll be replaced. Lucas is a half-breed, but he’s still a vampire. He’ll do his duty, and likely enjoy it as much as you.”

  Gritting my teeth, I bit back a snarl. “I want her in my rooms. She shouldn’t stay alone.”

  Eyes widening, he stared at me. “Oh, perhaps I was wrong. Your connection to her is stronger than it should be.”

  “No. But if breeding her is the goal, shouldn’t I have her on her back as much as possible? It would make sense to have her in my bed.”

  A maniacal grin spread across his lips. “This reminds me of when I found Lucas’s mother. Insatiable is the word I’d use. We rarely left my bed.”

  I fought a grimace. She’d ended up dying while bringing my brother into the world, but more than that, the toll of her pregnancy had driven her mad. “I have to admit, it’s not a great hardship to have a willing woman open her thighs for me.” Every word made me hate myself. But he had to think I was still fighting for the family. He couldn’t suspect I’d fooled him.

  “Father!” Lucas’s voice carried through the hallway before he appeared in the open door. His face a mask of panic. “Father, Callum has escaped. He’s massacred his guards.”

  A chill ran down my spine. The disease was so far progressed, my brother’s strength had become unparalleled. This was just like my mother’s final hours. She’d broken through silver bars and ripped the heart from her guard’s chest before walking outside and watching the sun rise.

  My father locked gazes with me and I saw it, pure fear. “I have to find him. We’re so close to a cure.”

  He left with such speed, even I didn’t see him go. Lucas stood inside the room, a frown turning down the corners of his mouth. “He’s getting worse,” he said.

  I raised an eyebrow and waited for him to expand his statement.

  “Father. His decisions, behavio
r. Everything is erratic. He forced you to fuck her when we could have worked on blending samples of her blood with yours. If she gets pregnant, she’ll likely die.”

  “I know. I ensured that wouldn’t happen.”

  “What do you mean? Your scent is all over her. She’s probably already carrying.”

  I shook my head. “No. I promise you, she’s not.”

  “He’s going to lose his mind soon. He’ll try to do something else. He’ll make me take her.”

  “I’ll kill him.” I said the words before I could stop myself.

  “That’s treason. You can’t. The council won’t stand for it and you know it.”

  “Then I’ll take her somewhere. Keep her safe from him.”

  “He’s tasted her. He knows her scent. You won’t be able to hide.”

  I sighed and dragged my hand through my hair. He was right. But I had to try.

  Everything stopped as her heartbeat changed from the steady calm I’d grown accustomed to. It stuttered and began racing, the panic inside her building up to something altogether terrifying. “Fuck. Something’s wrong.” I was outside her door in the space between breaths, hand on the knob, ready to break through the lock, but the wood was already splintered.

  Dread curled in my stomach as I shoved open the door. Olivia lay on her bed, fear in her eyes as my brother, Callum, pinned her to the mattress. One hand was under her pillow, while she tried in vain to push him away. He rutted against her, but thank fuck, his clothes were still on.

  “Brother, stop!” I shouted.

  Wild eyes found mine and he snarled, “I need her. She’s the one.”

  I rushed him, ready to defend my little bird to the very end. But Callum shoved me hard enough I felt the bones in my sternum crack. Then he stilled, his body tensing and shock flashing in his eyes. His mouth opened and shut a few times, but no words came out. Olivia trembled beneath him as the two of us watched him slowly turn to ash. His body fell to pieces, revealing a sharpened piece of wood in Olivia’s hand. She’d staked my brother. She killed him.

  “What have you done?” Lucas asked, horror in his voice.

  “He…he was going to kill me.”

  The air in the room changed the moment my father appeared, a set of silver chains in his gloved hands. Tension crackled like static electricity as his anger bloomed around us. “Callum. You killed my son, you little bitch!” A low growl rumbled in his throat and hands that had once looked human twisted into razor-sharp claws, ripping through the leather gloves. The chains clattered to the floor, heavy and ominous. “I should have left you in the well. I should have bred you myself and left you to bear my bastards with no help.”

  “Father, he was crazed,” I said, reaching for him and wincing as my bones worked to knit themselves back together.

  “She killed your brother. Do you have any love left for this family? Any loyalty?” He moved toward her, his posture and movements laced with delirium. “We’ll find another. This one has to die.”

  Reaching down, I grabbed the silver chains with my bare hands, the burn excruciating. I couldn’t let him touch her. My skin smoked every second I held the silver and it slowed my movements, but I wrapped the chain around my father’s throat and held him tightly. He screamed and writhed, desperate to escape as we fought. I couldn’t hold him much longer. The chain sent torturous waves of agony through my nerves. Pulling with all my might, I prayed I could decapitate him before I had to let go.

  Olivia screamed and rushed us, stake in hand. She plunged it into my father’s chest with such ferocity, I nearly lost my hold on the chains. Then the silver pulled through his neck and came out the other side, my father’s head falling free of his already disintegrating body. The acrid scent of burning flesh and ashes filled the air. I dropped the chain and stared down at the remnants of two members of my family.

  Olivia’s breaths came in rapid pants, her hands shaking as she stood before me. “Cash—”

  “Don’t say anything,” I interrupted. “I…We have to figure out what to do now.”

  “The council will burn you for treason. You’re a traitor to the throne, brother. You murdered your King to save a human.” Lucas’s voice was cold and empty.

  “Brother,” I said, unable to come up with words that might stop this from being true.

  “Run,” he said. “I can’t save you from this fate, but I can let you get a head start toward freedom. Bond with her. Ruin her blood for all of us. Get as far away as you can. Maybe you’ll be free.”

  I linked hands with Olivia and tugged her against my chest. “Thank you, Lucas,” I said. “I won’t forget this.”

  He nodded and his brow pulled together as he stared at the remains of our family. “He was a terrible man. But fear and respect often go hand in hand.”

  “The council will need to know what happened.”

  “And I will tell them the truth because if I don’t, they’ll search my mind. They’ll pull it from me and drive me insane in the process.”

  I placed a palm on his shoulder. “They’ll punish you for letting us go.”

  “You’re my brother. I’d punish myself for eternity if I didn’t let you escape.”

  With a curt nod, I walked out of Olivia’s room, holding her tight. I’d just sacrificed everything I’ve ever known for her. Because I loved her. She was mine and now we were leaving this place behind. Nothing was worth her life. Not my family, not my people.

  Olivia

  I was still shaking when Cashel opened the door of the sleek black sports car in the underground garage. As soon as I was seated, he closed the door and was in his seat before I blinked.

  I couldn’t get a handle on my panic. Everything in me was on high alert. My fight or flight instincts fired in all directions, turning me nearly to stone. If I didn’t stop this, I’d likely lose consciousness. Would that be such a bad thing?

  “Look at me, little bird,” he whispered. “I’m here with you.”

  I locked gazes with my vampire and tears burned my eyes. “I killed them. Your family.”

  “You did what you had to do. I would have killed both of them if you hadn’t.”

  “He was going to rape me. I could feel his…” I trailed off, nausea clutching my belly at the memory of his brother’s erection pressing between my legs.

  “I know.”

  The tears I’d been fighting spilled down my cheeks. “Your father. You were in so much pain. I had to do something.”

  He looked down at his palms, blackened and terribly burned. “I know,” he said again.

  I wouldn’t take it back. Not for anything.

  The engine came to life with a low purr and before much longer the two of us were on the road. We were free of them. The Blackthorne vampires didn’t have me any longer. I was safe with Cashel. And he was safe with me. His father couldn’t control either one of us, ever again.

  Cashel didn’t speak as he drove at breakneck speed, weaving through mountain roads and deserted highway. Fear twisted my belly as I saw the light of day creeping up the horizon.

  “Cash, the sun,” I whispered.

  “I’ve recently had your blood,” he reminded me, the memory seeming so far away even though it happened less than twenty-four hours earlier. A shiver ran down my spine at the phantom sensation of his lips on my breast. “We’ll stop soon. I just need to get us as far away as possible. My brother will have reported the King’s death by now. The inquest will have begun, and we need more time.”

  We drove a few more hours, my eyes growing heavy as the scenery changed from mountains to desert. I drifted in and out of sleep, my head resting on the cool glass of the window.

  “Wake up, little bird. We have to stop.” Cash shook my shoulder gently, rousing me.

  My neck ached from the odd angle I’d been holding it as I slept. Massaging the muscles, I yawned as I came back to consciousness. We were parked in front of an old cabin. Ivy grew along the facade of the home, reaching for the roof, but there was clearly someone
at home because a rusty old truck sat in the gravel driveway and smoke drifted from the chimney.

  “Where are we?”

  He took my hand and squeezed, the rough places on his palm nearly healed from his burns. “We need a place to stay.”

  I glance from him to the door of the cabin, then back. “You can’t—”

  “I’ve owned this cabin for nearly a hundred years. Martha is Brenna’s family. Ever since Brenna was turned, our family watched over her human relatives.”

  My chest ached at the mention of Brenna. “But they live here. You can’t just…kick them out of their home.”

  Frustration flashed in his eyes. “If I don’t, we will have to risk staying in a hotel. The more we’re seen, the more likely we will be found. I’m not ready to deal with the fall out of what happened. I’m a traitor to my blood, Olivia. I can’t ever go back to the life I had.”

  Guilt swarmed me, setting my skin tingling with worry. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. I needed you to know so you would understand the gravity of our situation.”

  “We’re together, that’s what counts.”

  “I wish it were that easy. Even if I ruin your blood, they’ll be after us. Now it will be about retribution, hunting down the traitor, and punishing us both.”

  He opened the car door and shot me a look before saying, “Stay inside until I speak to them.”

  I didn’t argue. My bones ached with weariness only possible from extreme fatigue. I was crashing after such a constant adrenaline rush. My vision blurred and faded in and out as I drifted back to sleep, but soon Cashel was at my door, taking my hand and leading me inside the warm house. The couple was nowhere to be found, their truck long gone. How had I missed the sound of that thing starting up?

  “Come on, you need to sleep in a proper bed.” He pulled me close to his side and pressed his lips to my temple. The gesture was tender, almost reverent, and I wondered if this was what he’d been fighting all this time. “I’ll watch over you. I promise.”