IM02 - Hunters & Prey (23 page)

Frantic thoughts buzzed around my mind, keeping me from the rest I so desperately needed. I had to stop them before they made me crazy—or crazier. My stomach churned with fear and guilt. I paced the room, watching the edges of the curtains, noticing the shafts of light creeping inside. The dawn had already risen. There was nothing I could do for Fallon. I hoped and prayed that she would remain safe through the day.

With nothing else to do, I collapsed onto the bed. I tried in vain to close my eyes and succumb to a much needed day of sleep. Without it, I wouldn’t be much help to anyone; though I doubted, stressed as I was, that it would actually come.

It pissed me off to no end that Lysander slept peacefully in the bed next to me. Anticipation had my mind racing between Fallon and the upcoming battle. I tossed and turned, remembering the zombie-like creature. A shiver of fear ran down my spine. Red, bloodshot eyes bulged from the creature’s sockets. Abnormally long canine teeth protruded from his mouth. His skin pulled tight against his bones, making him appear no more than an emaciated corpse. And that scream, that terrible blood-curdling scream—like a rabid banshee.

Memory flashed to the strange news report I’d watched on TV—the dismembered corpse left out in the open on the street. Eye witnesses had seen the thing in action. How could the Acta Sanctorum even think to use them? They were more inhuman and beastly than vampires ever could be. Frightening images swam through my head. I remembered how it fought mindlessly; its fists like boulders as they slammed into me. Another shuddered ran through me, knowing we were going to go up against more of them come evening.

Then a new and terrifying thought invaded my mind.
What if Quentin used my blood on Fallon?
A horrid image of bloodshot eyes and abnormally long fangs, belonging to my best friend, haunted my vision.

I shook my head, trying to dislodge the image and thoughts. I didn’t want to consider that possibility. No. Fallon would be safe, as promised, and I would get her out of there.

Lysander stirred next to me. I wasn’t sure at that moment how I felt about him. He’d been cold to Fallon. He gave no second thought to sending her to her death.

How am I supposed to love and be a mate to this man who cared so little for my friend?

“I do care, sweetheart,” Lysander said softly. His voice startled me, but he smoothed away the shock with a gentle hand rubbing my back. “My little love, it is because I care that I am so strict. I do not wish to see harm come to you or anyone you care about.” He dipped his hands below my shirt and traced invisible symbols on my skin. His soft touches caused a small shiver to dance up my spine. “I feel your pain and know it is terrible.”

I rolled over and looked at him. His words were what I needed to hear, but his past actions left me wary of his real intentions. Lysander’s face was calm. I gazed deeply into his eyes, willing myself to reach through our bond and sense his true feelings.

“I’m sorry I’ve hurt you, Alyssa,” he said sincerely. “Please know I only want to protect you … and your friend.”

“You can’t always force everything to be your way.” I chose my words carefully, not wanting to incite another argument, but still hoping to make him understand how worried I felt. “We could have come up with a plan that didn’t involve sending my friend into … an uncertain situation.”

Lysander caressed my cheek. “Yes, there may have been other options. Just as you might have found another option, instead of going to the café in the first place.”

I rolled away with a huff, heat spreading to my cheeks. He was never going to let that go. Would I to have to deal with this chastising for the rest of my immortal life?

“Please, sweetheart, love, don’t take things so harshly.” He reached out and pulled me toward him. “You know I speak the truth. There could have been many other options to choose, instead of involving the girl.”

“Her name is Fallon.”

His eyes narrowed as he looked down on me. “The point is, we must play the hand we have been dealt. We cannot take back our actions no matter how noble or foolish they might have been. Fallon can be of great value to us now, if she does what we’ve asked of her.”

I didn’t know what to think. I was angry. I was sad. I was guilty. I had so many mixed emotions swimming around inside of me.

Lysander wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer into his body. “Please try to understand.” He nuzzled into my neck. “Alyssa, give up this stubborn streak for just a little while and see that this might work. See that your friend, Fallon, a human, might actually help us vampires out. That would do well to aid your desire to have us all as friends.”

I hate it when he’s right. And why does he have to be so sweet about it?

“Fine,” I groaned.

“I feel your pain too. You worry for her. Just as I worried for you when you disappeared.”

His breath blew across my ear as he spoke. A small chill, a ripple of excitement, awakened my body. I tried to fight back the sudden urge to run my hands over his tone body, and pull him close. Lysander had been running so hot and cold lately it was making my head spin. But emotional issues aside—ones he would never admit to— he was one sexy guy. My guy. Lying next to me wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. That made it hard to remember that I was mad at him.

I took a moment to center myself, before my train of thought completely derailed. “It would be nice if you could show a little more of that worry and affection when I’m right here. You don’t always have to be the tough leader-guy.”

“How about I show you some now?” he said in a deep, velvety voice. “Should I show you how much I desire you?” His hand gently trailed down my stomach, just brushing the apex of my thighs.

“Why do you always try to end every fight by having sex?” I tried to sound annoyed, but the words came out as more of a purr. Warmth spread between my legs as my worry and anger began to dissipate. No matter how angry or annoyed I might be, I had to admit I loved his soft caresses. My body melted under his capable hands.

He tickled my skin with feather-soft touches, circling around my spreading warmth. I adjusted, parting my legs to allow him access to my most sensitive areas.

“Oh, were we fighting? Well, then, I guess this would be make-up sex. Isn’t that what couples are supposed to do?” He nuzzled into my neck and nibbled at my pulse. “You know, we don’t have to fight,” he whispered, taking a finger and tracing it around my soft patch of curly hair.

“You’re right. We don’t always have to fight.” I grabbed his hand to stop his teasing caresses. I could hardly think straight while he tempted my body. “You could lighten up a little on the tough guy act and give me a little more leeway.”

Lysander sighed. “Sweetheart, I do. I know you think me harsh at times and perhaps dismissive of your thoughts and opinions, but that isn’t the case.”

“Wasn’t it you who dismissed my worry about Santino in the first place? For weeks I had nightmares, and when I finally told you I might have actually seen him, you acted as if nothing was wrong.”

He rose up slightly to meet my eyes. “Yes, and for that I am deeply sorry. I should have listened to you. You were right, and I was too short-sighted to see it. Part of the blame in this situation lies squarely on my shoulders. Had I listened more closely, you would not have gone out alone and found a reason to see your friend.”

I huffed in annoyance. “Sometimes you get caught up in your age and experience and forget that others might have some sense of their own.”

“I accept the blame for my part and hope that you will forgive me.” He stroked my face again with the tip of his finger, running it down my cheek. “But you must also learn to listen to the wisdom and reason of others. Remember, there are more people to consider than just you and me. The rest of the Peregrinus are affected by our situation too. While they live with us, we are all one clan, one family. The needs and safety of the group are what must be considered.”

I sighed. I knew he was right about that. My actions had involved more than just myself and Fallon. The whole clan was a part of this. But, just as Lysander considered the Peregrinus to be family, I too considered my friend in that category. He needed to know I would do anything to make her safe again, even if that meant putting my life on the line. No matter what ties I had to the vampire world, I still owed a debt to Fallon for dragging her into this mess.

“I hear what you’re saying. I can’t apologize enough for involving everyone in this. But Fallon is as close to me as family, and I need to know that you will protect her too, as if she were one of our clan. We have to make sure she is safe.”

“You are as stubborn as the day is long.” He nodded, and a playful smile stretched across his face. “I cede to your strong will, my love. If she is your family, then I must try to consider her mine as well. I will do all I can to ensure her safety.”

“Thank you.”

Relief washed through me, knowing we were back on the same side, so to speak, and seeing eye-to-eye about this.

“Now that we are back on good terms, shall I continue with your second request?”

I smiled. “Oh, and what request was that?” My body tingled with anticipation of his answer.

“You wanted to feel my desire, did you not? Come closer and taste me.”

I rolled in close to his body. The thickness of his erection pressed against my thigh, heightening my arousal. I wrapped my arms around his hard body and buried my face into his neck, breathing in his deep, heady scent.

Lysander bent his head back, arching in invitation. I smiled, feeling the faint pulse there, just under the skin. I couldn’t resist. I needed a taste of his honeyed blood.

“Drink from me, love,” he whispered as his hand ghosted up my back to my neck. Gently he pressed me closer.

I bit down, flooding my mouth with his sweet essence.

His hands again trailed along my skin, dipping below the waistband of my pajamas. The tingling head rush from his blood hit me just as his finger found my folds. He parted them, searching for the spot that would make me melt.

I gulped at the fountain of his neck as he expertly flicked and massaged my clit. Wave after wave of pleasure wracked my body. He rounded my opening with his finger, before slowly dipping inside. I felt every motion, every move as he curled his finger, tickling my most delicate places. His blood, his touch, his hard body pressed against my sensitive skin—it was s decadent blend of sensual stimulation.

I lapped at the tiny pinpricks from my fangs, closing the wound and released myself from his neck. I felt I would shatter into a million pieces from the sensory overload.

Euphoria paralyzed me as he commanded my body. My breath came in short bursts. One finger soon became two as Lysander worked my body into a fury of delight.

His lips returned to my neck for a brief moment before traveling down to my breast. My nipples, now hard little pebbles, were so sensitive that the smallest touch felt like an electric shock zipping straight down to my sex. He nipped at them playfully, smiling as I bucked and moaned beneath him.

I praised his name, shouting it to the heavens as he brought me to climax.

But he was not done yet.

Tearing the clothes from my body, he eyed me with a predatory gaze. He rose above me and kissed a trail from my navel up to my lips. His body pressed against mine. I felt his erection, hard and waiting for me. His tongue delved into my mouth, playfully licking at my teeth. His arms wrapped around my body. Not breaking from our kiss, we rolled over in bed together and he guided me on top of him. His swollen tip pressed against my wet, needy opening.

He slowly slid inside of me.

“Oh god,” I moaned as the wave of pleasure surged through me.

My body stretched to accommodate his girth. I savored the feeling, the momentary pause. He felt good inside of me, filling me completely as if we were meant to fit together, and through our bond I knew he felt exactly the same.

He thrust his hips, urging me to move with him. Following his lead, I rocked my hips, pushing him deeper inside of me, melding our bodies together.

His hands clasped my butt, guiding me, kneading my ass as we moved together. The wave of pleasure crested. I moaned loudly, throwing my head back as the climax hit me and sent shockwaves of pleasure through my core. Lysander held me tight, letting out a low primal growl as he too found release.

For a wonderful eternity we lay in bed motionless, feeling pleasantly spent, until sleep finally took us.

CHAPTER 17

*****

N
ight arrived like an unwelcome visitor, waking me from my peaceful dreams. As much as I wanted to fall back into the serene bliss of sleep, I couldn’t. As soon as my eyes cracked open, reality hit me and I remembered the impending battle and how dangerous our situation was.

Midnight, though still hours away, was fast approaching, and we needed to be ready.

Lysander had risen before me and was already dressed. He wore black from head to toe: jeans, turtleneck, and steel-toe boots. He caught my eye from across the room, where he sat at a small corner table, and smiled. I stretched and yawned, trying to shrug off the last remnants of sleep.