Shadowed Desire: Daughters of the Vieux Carré Book 5

by Rowlyn, Rhys

  Lucy

  Where am I? Turning in a circle, I hold my hands out and then dance around. Wherever this is, it’s beautiful. There is a pristine white beach behind me with clear blue water. The sun is shining brightly, and I feel the warm breeze against my skin. I turn my face toward the sun, breathing in the salty air.

  “Beautiful,” Etienne whispers from behind me.

  I glance over my shoulder and smile. “Yes, the beach is gorgeous.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the scenery. I was talking about you.” His heated gaze never leaves me, and I feel desire stir in my stomach.

  “So what’s going on? Where are we?” Using my toe, I dig a shallow hole in the sand.

  “I don’t know. I’ve never seen a beach like this one, but we are most likely sharing a dream. Phillipe told me about these when he first met Giselle.” He links our fingers together and pulls me to the water’s edge. I laugh and run back when the waves come in.

  We play on the beach, enjoying our game of tag with the waves. Etienne is so gorgeous, with his dark hair and light-blue eyes. He said when he first awakened, it was long and he had a beard. He cut it into short waves and lost the beard to show off his strong jawline and a handsome smile. He’s tall, well over six feet, with long, lean muscles. He’s the perfect man. I’d be lying if I tried to deny my attraction to him.

  “Why are we here? What is the purpose of this?” I hold out my arms and twirl around on the beach.

  “I would think to get to know each other. Hmmm… I know Phillipe and Giselle would… Well, they would…” He scrubs his face with his hands, a flush making its way up his neck to his face.

  I giggle, loving how these old guys have such a hard time talking about sex. It’s cute but also funny to watch their discomfort. “Have sex?”

  “Oui.” He nods, glancing down at me.

  “What is it with you vampires? You’re so modest. I thought Jean Pierre was going to have a fit just talking about the chemistry between mates.”

  Jean Pierre was so funny, and Etienne is proving to be just as comical.

  I was so against having a mate, but the time I’ve already spent with Etienne is beginning to change my mind. He’s easygoing, easy to talk to, and easy on the eyes. I stop and look up at him, smiling. I like him. What the hell? My mouth drops open in shock, I really do like him.

  He’s not looking at me, so he misses my look of shock. “We were brought up in a different time. Things weren’t discussed so openly, and we have been asleep for a long time, so we completely missed the transition of society.”

  “Yeah, I guess not. So what do you want to do?” I grab his hand in mine and swing them between us. “Should we try the sex thing and see how it works?”

  He stops and turns toward me, his mouth opening and closing, but he’s nodding his head. “Oui, I am definitely open to it, but do you think I could maybe woo you first?”

  “This is a dream and not real, right?” I tap my chin with my finger, walking a short distance from him and then turning quickly to face him.

  “Oui, but it will feel very real.” He raises a brow in my direction.

  “Yeah, but it’s not. I can do whatever I want in a dream.” I’m feeling freer than I ever have and don’t feel the inhibitions I usually do. I guess it’s part of the beauty of the joint dreams.

  “I guess.”

  Laughing, I run toward him and jump into his arms. He catches me without any problem and wraps his arms around my hips as I wrap my legs around his.

  “Oh my, so I take it that’s a no to the wooing?” He laughs, holding me tightly against him.

  “Yes, that’s a no to the wooing. I’ve decided I want to see what it’s like to kiss you and then whatever happens, happens.” I run my hands through his hair and lean toward him. It’s only a dream after all, so I can do whatever I want. That’s the beauty of dreaming.

  He closes the distance between us and takes my mouth with his, kissing me deeply. I open for him, and he slips his tongue in. I groan when he rubs his tongue against mine, and I grip his hair tighter with my hands.

  Suddenly we are falling back, and I gasp but land on a soft bed. I don’t open my eyes, only continue to kiss him. He raises up on his forearms, and without breaking the kiss, he runs his hand down my side, slides it under my ass, and lifts me up. I open my thighs wider until he fits between them. I feel his hardness against my center and thrust my hips upward to rub against him, frustrated by our clothing getting in my way of touching him.

  I’m shocked by the level my desire and how quickly it has risen. Everyone assured me our chemistry would be through the roof, and they weren’t lying. I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone else. I run my hands over his shoulders and down his chest and am shocked when we are naked.

  “Dreams. We can do anything, remember?” He grins down at me and kisses his way down my neck until he reaches my breast. His eyes glance up, and he meets my gaze. “Do I need to slow down? Is any of this frightening you?”

  I shake my head. “No, I’ve had sex before, but it’s never felt this intense.”

  He smiles, then takes my nipple into his mouth and sucks lightly. I arch my back, pushing myself deeper into his mouth. He thumbs my other nipple, and I weave my fingers through his hair, lifting my hips to bring him against me in just the right spot. We both moan when I rub against him.

  “Mon trésor, oh merde,” he murmurs against my breast, and I move faster against him, needing the closeness.

  Etienne uses his thighs to spread me wider, and I feel the tip of him at my entrance. He meets my gaze with a questioning look, and I nod my assent. With one hard thrust, he enters me fully, and I think I may lose all control. I arch my back and scream his name.

  He buries his face into the crook of my neck, moaning against my skin. My muscles tighten around him, and he moans again, moving his hips and thrusting deeper inside me.

  “Oh, Etienne, it feels so good.” I climb higher and higher as we move together. My fingers grip his shoulders, and I bury my nails into his skin. I know I will leave marks, but it excites me. I’ve never been one to be violent, but the thought of marking him as mine is hot.

  He tightens his hold on my hips, moving harder and deeper, and I can’t hold back any longer as I shatter in his arms. He stills within me, and I feel his hot release.

  Etienne falls to the side of me but keeps a hand on my hip. “Lucy, are you all right, mon trésor?”

  “Yeah, I’m more than all right.” My voice is breathless, and I gasp to catch my breath. Wow, just wow.

  There is a banging sound, and Etienne sits up. “What is that?”

  “I thought these dreams were supposed to be only between us?” I sit up next to him, pulling a blanket around me to cover my nakedness, and look around to find the source of the sound.

  “They are.” His brow wrinkles, and he runs his hand through is hair.

  “Wake up! Etienne, we must protect Lucy! Wake up!” Jean Pierre’s voice jars me, and Etienne disappears before my eyes.

  I sit up in my bed and jump up, only to be caught around the waist by Nyla.

  “Whoa there, tiger. You need to stay with me.” She sets me on my feet and grabs my arm when I sway to the side.

  I shake my head, trying to clear it and figure out what is going on. “But where’s Etienne? I need to find him.”

  “Wow, that was fast. You went from not wanting him to needing to find him.” She cocks a brow at me and laughs.

  “Yeah, let’s not go there just yet.” I wave off her questioning look and glance down at my pajamas, I need to put on some clothes. I race over the closet, grabbing some jeans and a shirt to put on. “What’s happening?”

  Hurriedly, I dress and slip on my shoes, ready to face whatever is coming our way.

  “There has been an attack on the witches. We’re worried Minerva may be behind it and is coming for you and Jean Pierre.” Nyla throws a shirt at me, and I run behind an old changing screen to put my clothes on. It’s hard to
believe I’m being modest now, when only a few minutes ago I was naked with Etienne.

  “Where are we going?” I ask as I come out from behind the screen, fully dressed minus my shoes.

  “Grab a few things, then we’ll leave. We are going to the plantation. Everyone is loading up out back.” She hands me a bag, and I pull out some clothes from my dresser.

  “Lucy! Where are you?” Etienne yells, and I can hear the fear in his voice.

  “I’m here, getting a few things together.” I throw some clothes in a bag and slip on my shoes as I race out onto the landing to join the others.

  “Please hurry, the barrier the witches set up won’t hold much longer, and we need to be gone when it breaks!” Giselle yells up the stairs, and we all race down to join everyone out back.

  I jump at the sound of a loud bang from the street, but before I can see what’s causing the noise, Etienne is pushing me into the back of a white delivery van and we’re speeding away from the houses. I hope whoever is behind this doesn’t destroy them.

  “Was it Minerva?” I ask the witches, and they shake their heads in unison.

  “No, I believe whoever hired her to initiate the first attack is behind this one. There were no vampires involved, and it was before sunset. We’ll hide out for a couple of days and then come back and try to pick up on any remnants of magic. Maybe it can give us some sort of idea of who this is.” Cara rubs her face with her hands, her body tense.

  I lean against Etienne, and he takes my hand in his, kissing the top of my head. I know this was a real threat, but I’m also relieved it wasn’t Minerva. I really don’t want to face her again as a human.

  Etienne

  A few hours ago, we arrived at the plantation Giselle and Cassie own, and Lucy has decided it’s time for her to be turned. The attack tonight scared everyone, and Lucy was no exception. She is now determined to not be so vulnerable. Part of me is glad but another part worries she’s rushing into it, that she’s allowing her emotions to rule the day.

  I cup her face between my palms and stare directly into her eyes. “You are absolutely sure you wish to do this?”

  “Yes, I’m positive.” Lucy pats my cheek, grinning.

  I take a deep breath, frowning at her. “I’m being serious. You know it’s going to be painful?”

  “Yesss, stop trying to talk me out of it.” She walks away and hops up on the bed we’re using for the change. “First off, you already have the desire to turn me because I’m your mate, and next, I don’t want to be so weak.”

  “You are not weak.” I take her hand in mine and kiss her knuckles. I love the way her cheeks flush at my touch. She is so responsive.

  “Physically I am, and you know it.” She pulls her hand from my grasp and pouts at me. “It’s going to be fine. Giselle has told me everything I can expect to happen. She also told me that after a few minutes, she has no memory of anything going on. All the rest of the girls said the same thing, and you went through the change yourself, so you know this is true.”

  “I’m just worried. I hate the thought of you being in pain.” I have witnessed several changes, and I know how difficult they can be. She is right. She’ll have no memory of it, but I will, and I know I’m being selfish.

  Leaning forward, she kisses my cheek. She is acting very chaste around me, and I hope this isn’t going to be a trend. I want to talk to her about our dream, but I know now isn’t the time.

  “How long do you think it will take?”

  “For you to complete the change?” I ask, raising a brow in her direction. “I don’t know. It could be hours or days. It all depends on the state of your body. For instance, Giselle was healthy but slightly malnourished from being on the ship and so it took her a day, but Jean Pierre told me it took Nyla three days because she was so near death from starvation and dehydration. You are healthy, so it may only take hours, and this is my hope.”

  She nods, meeting my gaze, and I can see the determination in her eyes. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

  I slice my wrist and hold it out for Lucy to take. Her face is pale and her eyes are wide, but she doesn’t hesitate to put her lips against the cut and suck in some blood. She stops and glances up at me, and I motion for her to continue.

  “I’ll tell you when to stop.”

  She grimaces and continues to take my blood into her body, and when I begin to feel a bit weak, I stop her.

  “Now what?” Lucy looks up at me with wide eyes, biting her lower lip. She looks so innocent and sweet, but I know she has a spine of steel. Now, I have to be strong for her.

  “We need to strap you down so you don’t hurt yourself. Everyone is here to help me to watch over you. The witches have set up extra wards. You’ll be vulnerable at this time, and with Minerva still on the loose, we don’t want to take any chances.” I’m happy my famille is here, along with all the new friends we have. Everything done to ensure her safety is welcome.

  “Well, let’s get me strapped down.” Lucy lies on the small bed, and I take a heavy strap and pull it across her shoulders, then tighten it until she can’t move. Next, I strap her thighs and legs, and even her head. She wiggles around until she is comfortable.

  “How do you feel?” I start to loosen one of the straps, but she shakes her head, stopping me.

  “Strapped down.” She laughs and then moans. “Oh man, that was strange.”

  “What was it?” I kneel beside her, brushing the hair away from her brow.

  “A pain shot through my chest.” She closes her eyes and bites her lip. “Wow, that was a rough one.”

  “Phillipe!” I yell, panic evident in my voice.

  He bursts into the room. “What’s wrong?”

  “She’s feeling pain. Should she be feeling pain?” Fear has taken over, and I can’t calm my voice. Lucy looks from me to Phillipe with wide eyes.

  “Yes, some. It’s beginning quickly.” Phillipe smiles down at Lucy encouragingly, squeezing her shoulder. “Brother, you are going to have to hold it together. She will be fine, but it’s not a pleasant process.”

  “I know this is necessary, but I hate her in pain.”

  “We’ve all been there and know how you feel.” Phillipe pulls up a chair, straddles it, and folds his arms over the back.

  “Etienne, I’ll be fine. I just need to get through these few minutes, then remember, I won’t know what’s happening.” Her rapid breathing and the panic in her eyes undermine the comfort she’s trying to impart.

  I take her hand in mine, and she calms for a second and then thrashes her head back and forth and arches her back. She lets out a scream, and I bow my head, stroking her hand. I know it’s a very painful experience, but it’s different watching your mate go through it.

  Lucy has been screaming and thrashing for hours now, and everyone has tried to get me to go rest for a while, but I refuse to leave her side. If she can go through the pain of the change, I can stay by her side. I hope our theory is correct about the health of the person affecting how long it takes the body to change.

  André takes a seat next to me and is silently watching. Phillipe and I were always best friends, but we thought of André as a younger brother. He was the youngest of us all. I am happy to see he found his mate and they are doing so well.

  “Fleur was at death’s door when I changed her. It was awful. Know that I am here for you, brother.” He slaps my shoulder, and I appreciate the support the entire famille has given us.

  “How is Fleur doing? Have you been able to uncover anything about her mother?” I’ve talked with André’s mate only briefly, not nearly enough to get to know her, but she seems pleasant and she adores him, which makes her perfect in my book.

  “No, other than Jean Pierre seeing her at Minerva’s, nothing.” He rubs the back of his neck, furrowing his brow. “It’s as if she disappeared in the night. We have been doing research on this Renaud character, but we haven’t found anything. He’s either new on the scene or there is nothing recorded about him.
The witches have tried several spells, but each one has done nothing but backfire on them. He doesn’t want to be found and in turn is hiding Alice.”

  I give his shoulder an encouraging squeeze. “New Orleans isn’t that big, and the supernatural community is even smaller. Something will come up.”

  “Etienne, do you hear that?” André stills, grinning at me.

  “No, what?” I draw my brows together, trying to hear what he’s talking about, but all is quiet.

  “It’s silence.” He points at Lucy. “Look, Lucy has quieted. I believe the change is almost over.”

  I stand and stare down at her, waiting for her to open her eyes. André yells out for Giles to bring blood, and all I can do is watch her and wait. “Come on, Lucy, wake up. I need to know you are okay.”

  Everyone comes running into the room to await Lucy opening her eyes. We all stand around until suddenly they pop open. Giles is ready with a bag of blood and slips it into her mouth. It quickly empties, and he replaces it with another.

  These bags of blood have been the most amazing achievement. No longer are we having to hunt down donors to feed from and then having to compel them to forget. There was also always the chance of taking too much and hurting or killing the person, especially newly turned vampires.

  After loosening the straps, I help her sit up. She looks around at everyone and smiles. “Do I look different?” She jumps off the bed, and as she runs to the mirror, she is a blur. She moves so quickly, she almost runs into the wall.

  “Whoa there, sister, you gotta watch your speed.” Nyla laughs and gives Lucy a hug.

  Lucy stares at herself in the mirror, tilting her head this way and that. “I don’t really see a change; my skin is really clear, and my hair is maybe shinier.”

  I move behind her and wrap my arms around her. “That’s because you were perfect before and are perfect now.”

  Lucy blushes and lowers her gaze, but not before I see the twinkle in her eyes. “Thank you.”