Dream Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 1) (23 page)

He grabbed her hair and thrust involuntarily, hitting the back of her throat. She couldn’t breathe around him. Her panic dissipated when he gentled his hold and controlled his movements. “Sorry, you drive me crazy. Doona stop, please. I willna hurt you.” His voice had roughened with desire and he wanted this desperately, but he put her first. His care for her even in the heat of his passion aroused her more.

She stretched her mouth to the limit and took as much of his girth as she could manage. His cock hardened even more and he groaned loudly. She dropped her inhibitions and reached up to grasp his balls. She had never been so bold, squeezing the full globes. He cried out and was unable to stop himself from gently thrusting into her mouth. It was not the uncomfortable experience she’d had before, but infinitely gentle and loving.

She sucked him hard and her body responded to his pleasure. Shockingly, her nipples hardened into peaks and her clit throbbed. Her pussy clenched. She wanted him. This was not going the way she intended.

“I can smell your arousal,
a ghra.
Hold on,” he murmured before he picked her up and flipped her as he lay down on the nearby sofa. His cock jerked into her cheek at the same time she heard fabric tearing. When she felt his breath against her aching core, she realized he had ripped her panties from her and she was positioned perfectly over his face. She cried out his name as he began licking, nipping, and sucking her into his mouth. He devoured her like he was a starving man.

“Oh, Zander…that feels wonderful,” she moaned and took him back into her mouth. Elsie reveled in the new experience, realizing this man took her to new heights.

With his gentle thrusting, it took her closer to the edge rather than detracting from the pleasure. He eased two fingers into her core and she arched up, his cock popping out of her mouth. She twisted around and saw her ecstasy reflected back to her.

“Yes, Zander. Oh God, don’t stop,” she pleaded as she reclaimed his shaft. She sucked and stroked him in unison with his ministrations and they reached their peak together, exploding in one another’s mouths.

She choked when he began spurting warm jets of semen down her throat until she set a rhythm of swallowing what he so freely gave her. He didn’t let up on her during his orgasm. She had never been so grateful that he was a vampire and his biology gave him long orgasms as he brought her to peak three more times before he was done.

She collapsed onto his groin, breathing heavily. That had been incredible and the most intimate act she had ever engaged in. Guilt flooded her and she needed to put space between them. He had other ideas as he flipped her to face him.

She couldn’t allow him to take this encounter any further. “That didn’t turn out like I had planned. It never does with you. You need to see that troll about the fairy,” she cut off his words before he could utter them. She quickly scrambled off his lap and ran into the bathroom before she burst into tears.

Ironically, she locked herself in the small room and sank to the floor. What was she doing? She was overwhelmed by her conflicting emotions and desires. One moment she wanted this vampire more than anything, and the next she was trapped by her past and the vows she made to Dalton. She heard him curse soundly before leaving her room. Her heart ached for the pain she caused him.

Zander scrutinized the deserted street under the Aurora Bridge while he thought of how Elsie initiated intimacy for the first time, giving him the best blow-job he’d ever had only to negate it when her guilt surfaced. It was difficult to be positive, patient and supportive of her emotions when the ghost of a man she loved kept coming between them. He was accustomed to making decisions and having them followed through. He removed obstacles, didn’t coddle and tolerate them. But, he happily endured anything for his mate. Not to say his patience wasn’t wearing thin. He’d never been closer to the edge of losing it. His mate mark was a painful reminder of that fact. The damn thing was tormenting him every second he didn’t complete his mating with Elsie.

Pushing aside his discomfort, he focused on Elvis, the Fremont Troll. Zander found it comical that the troll was a popular tourist destination for the humans. It seemed unlikely to him that the surly troll would tolerate the humans climbing all over him for photo ops. But, he loved it, and was incorrigible as he played pranks on the unknowing. City officials never knew who dressed Elvis up for each of the holidays. Elvis did it to attract the women and children. He was, after all, an attention-whore. Not to mention, that he gained strength by having his image in countless households.

Elvis was an enormous, gray, bridge troll. With his preternatural vision, Zander could make out the tiny scales that covered him. He saw Elvis’ huge nose draw in a breath. That was their cue to announce themselves. The troll shifted his massive body and lifted his hand from the dusty, red, VW bug. Zander expected him to move out from under the bridge but he remained hunched over watching them warily.

Zander reached into his pocket and retrieved the large, emerald pendant that would serve as their toll to the troll. He straightened his red silk shirt and adjusted his black leather jacket as he climbed out of Orlando’s black Ford Mustang. He should have worn something more formal to meet with the infamous Seelie Queen. He had been too consumed by Elsie’s erotic play to think of etiquette.

Zander walked across the street and stopped twenty yards from the troll and spoke the necessary riddle. “When you have me, you want to share me, when you share me, I no longer exist.”

The blast of a canon sounded before the ground rolled beneath their feet. Elvis was chuckling. “A secret,” boomed Elvis in his deep, bass voice. “Good to see you Vampire King. Have you brought your toll?”

He lifted the large pendant and held it up so the street light gleamed off the emerald. “Aye, I have.” He walked over and dropped the offering into the troll’s large hand. “I need to contact her majesty, Zanahia.” The Seelie Queen spent most of her time in Faerie, the Fae realm, separated from Earth by a magical veil only the Fae could cross.

Elvis’ fingers closed around the pendant. “It’s always a pleasure dealing with you, Zander. Surely, you would rather talk about your
Fated Mate
? I hear she portends change for the realm. That this is a sign that the Goddess is bestowing treasures, once again. Everyone is anxious to see what will come of this. I, for one, am sitting here on pins and needles.” The boom echoed again. Elvis was in a jovial mood. “Oh, wait, that’s a big boulder. Little to the left, ah, right there. So much better.” He shifted to the side, creating a dust storm in the process. He was quite the comedian tonight.

Zander wondered how this creature had heard the news when his council wasn’t aware of it yet. “Aye, I have been blessed with my Fated Mate, but I doona know what changes the realm is in store for. I welcome any changes the Goddess brings. It is because of my mate that I need to see Zanahia, right away. There was an altercation earlier this evening at Confetti and a Fae was involved with the archdemons and skirm.”

Elvis’ grey, scaled eyebrows drew down in a scowl. “I wasn’t aware the Fae were involved tonight. Had I known, I would have been there. I enjoy taking out skirm. Why is it, I am never invited to the parties? I will tell you what I know, if you promise to invite me the next time.”

Orlando’s expression revealed his amusement. “That would have been interesting to keep from the humans. I can see the headlines, ‘The Famous Fremont Troll Traipses Through Town, Skewering Fanged Kids’.”

The troll’s thunderous laughter echoed and Zander stumbled as the ground rolled. “The photo-ops would be endless. But, next time, bring the party to me. I make a killer crab-dip.”

Zander refocused the conversation, needing to get to the matter at hand. Dawn was rapidly approaching. “Can we move along? Time is of the essence,” he said glancing at the lightening sky.

“Keep your knickers on, your Highness, she is in Faerie. I will pass on your request for an audience.” They watched as the troll’s giant, yellow eyes turned shiny silver, resembling two, huge hubcaps from an eighteen-wheeler truck.

A misting fog crept in, obscuring the ground under the Aurora Bridge. Zander brushed the dew off his leather jacket, and looked to check Orlando’s reaction to the coming Fae presence. The last thing he needed right now was a lusty, feline shifter losing control with the Seelie Queen.

“I’m okay, Liege.” Orlando snapped, clearly annoyed to have his will-power questioned.

As the mist cleared, a bright, white light flashed in the interior of the dirty, old VW. The door creaked open of its own volition, and mist escaped from the inside of the red car. A delicate, white hand reached out to the top of the door. The Seelie Queen attempted to exit the car, but fell to her hands, as her gown snagged on her shoe.

“For the love of Faerie! Elvis, you need a more appropriate contraption for my portal to Seattle. Oh, bother, now look at my gown.” She fussed with the torn hem of the see-through, gauzy, white gown, and uttered a spell, repairing the tear. She ran her hand over the bodice, pausing over her pert and visible breasts, while looking at Orlando. “I see you brought me a treat which is always a good idea when you want something, Zander,” the queen murmured, finally turning her gaze to him.

He questioned his decision to bring Orlando to this meeting. It was near impossible for a shifter to deny their desire for a Fae. He had to trust that Orlando would keep it at bay.

“Nay, Zanahia, I didna bring him for you, but ‘tis good to see you again. Lovely, as always,” he said as he approached her, clasped her perfectly, manicured hand, and kissed her big, diamond ring.

He took in Zanahia’s long, blond hair with its small braids fastened at her crown. Her intricate, silver crown matched her shiny, silver eyes. She was tall, lean and was exceptionally good looking, yet her beauty did nothing for him.

“I need to speak with you aboot an urgent matter, your Majesty.”

“Of course, how can I be of assistance?” she smiled.

“Several hours ago, one of your subjects assisted Kadir in taking doon the wards that protect Club Confetti. Then, he, along with two archdemons, and an army of skirm, attacked me, my Fated Mate and my warriors when we left the club.”

“Oh, I hadn’t been informed that Morrigan was once again playing match-maker. What a momentous occurrence. I’m glad to see that you survived the attack. That must’ve been a bloodbath.”

“I need to speak with you aboot this subject of yours. I want the threat Aquiel poses eliminated,” he ground out.

“Yes, we will get to that, but first, I simply must hear all about this mate of yours. Souls must be singing throughout the realm,” she clasped her hands with joy. He had an uneasy feeling in his gut. It couldn’t be a good thing that she had such an interest in his mate.

His brow furrowed, and he ran his hand along his whiskered jaw. She was up to something, but he was unsure what, and didn’t have the time to ferret that out. “The Goddess has blessed me with a human for my Fated Mate. She is beyond anything I ever expected. Strong, courageous, loyal, and…beautiful.”

Large, silver pools gazed at him, as glittery particles showered from her hair and skin. “Oh, my, that is a great blessing indeed! I can already see your little half-breeds running around that compound of yours.” Did he detect something in the tone of her voice? “Now, about this subject of mine. I’m not aware of Aquiel’s latest actions. We’ve been neutral in this war of yours from the beginning, and my subjects are free to consort with whom they choose. I’m sorry that I cannot provide you with more at this time. I will look into this matter further.”

“So, the Fae havena officially allied with Kadir and the demons.” That was a relief. “Many feared his involvement meant you’d chosen the wrong side. Do you know where I can find Aquiel? Is he capable of casting a shielding spell on Kadir’s lair?”

Zanahia tapped her thin, pale-pink lips with one, long finger as she contemplated. “The one piece of information I will not disclose is his location, since I am aware of your intent to terminate him. That being said, Aquiel is of a lower caste, with limited knowledge, so he’s not capable of casting such a strong enchantment. However, if he were to acquire the knowledge, he could cast them. Such information is difficult to come by, especially since the Fae have an oral tradition of passing on spells, unlike the sorcerers of your realm, with their written customs.”

He felt a tingle that warned him dawn was imminent. “Thank you for your cooperation. I must take my leave, dawn approaches. Till next time, then.”

“Do keep me updated on your mating ceremony. I wish you and your human much happiness.” He kissed her diamond ring in parting, and watched her awkwardly climb back into the heap of metal.

“She is hiding something. I’m not sure what, but I have a feeling it has to do with….” Orlando cut his commentary short and staggered back as Zander blasted into his mind.

“Keep your bluidy mouth shut. Elvis is a servant of the Queen, in case you forgot.”

“Run along now, Batman and Robin. I have a sensitive stomach, you know, and don’t think I’ll be able to keep down that German Sheppard from supper if I had to watch your skin boil and bubble, then fall off your bones, when the sun rises.”

*****

Something was wrong and Elsie had no idea what it was. The Dark Warriors surrounded her, tensed and readied for battle. They stood outside her apartment and she searched fruitlessly for the danger they sensed. Her heart raced like a hummingbird’s wings. It was disconcerting to see four, powerful men come to attention. She wished she had their supernatural senses. It would come in handy when she did her patrols.

“What is it?” she asked in a hushed voice, drawing her blade from the small of her back ready for battle.

Orlando rolled his eyes as he took a protective stance in front of her, with his body bladed, and his
sgian dubh
ready. “Kadir found you already. I’m sure the Fae helped him locate your home last night because his dimwits have been here. Be on-guard, it could be a trap.”

Elsie tensed, suddenly thankful that Zander was a Neanderthal. If she’d had her way last night she and Cailyn would have been at her apartment. She refused to contemplate what would have happened then.

Gerrick joined Orlando in shielding her, keeping his body loose and open. She heard Gerrick mutter in the same language he had used with Jace and Killian the night before.

“What spell are you casting now? Are you doing a portal back to Zeum? That wouldn’t be smart to do here. And, how come I can’t see the lights this time?”

Gerrick gazed at her, his exasperation clear. “No, I’m not doing a portal. I’m trying to determine if there are Fae present. I’ve detected no Fae, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t in danger. I can’t say if there are any skirm in the apartment.”

Santiago looked over at Gerrick then Rhys and Orlando. “On my mark, we go in. You two, follow, and, Elsie, stay in the sunlight until we clear the apartment. On three, one, two,” Santiago called, and on three kicked the door open, charging in.

She saw the destruction from where she stood. “Oh, my God! It’s all destroyed! I can’t believe someone would do this. It can’t all be gone. I will turn every last skirm to dust for this,” she vowed as she stumbled into her apartment. Everything was ruined. Her entire life with Dalton had been in that apartment. The talons anchoring her black hole drew in sharply. She stumbled into the apartment, not waiting for the all clear.

The Mexican blankets that once hung proudly on her walls were in shreds on the floor. She picked up slices of the lime-green throw and felt tears stream down her cheeks, as she surveyed the destruction all around her. Pictures were torn and pottery shards and glass littered the floor. Numbly, she entered her bedroom and fell to her knees by the remains of her wedding album.

She frantically pushed through the coils and foam padding torn from her mattress. She tossed aside desecrated clothing and knickknacks, gathering anything she could salvage. The sound of her friends’ boots crunching the debris was like an elephant traipsing through the jungle, destroying everything in its path. She cried harder, every link she had to Dalton was gone. Her black hole engulfed every fiber of her being as she sobbed.

“Is there something specific you are looking for?” Rhys asked gently. “I can help search. Hey, take a deep breath and try to calm down.” She ignored Rhys and continued her frenetic search. She needed to find something of Dalton to salvage. She couldn’t bear it if nothing was left.