"Free will. I choose to die. I choose the life I have. You have nothing I want."
I watch her trail a fingertip down from her throat into her cleavage as she licks her lips thoughtfully. Then she presents her manicured hand to me, "Welcome to the fold."
I take it nervously, and am shocked speechless as she pulls me forward and kisses me.
"Stop fucking with her, Ellindt."
I recognise the voice as our intimidating mediator. It was one helluva kiss, but I think I prefer Seithe's. She releases me, smiling demurely, sultry eyes staring decadently into mine.
"I'll stick to your brother's kisses. No offence."
"You're lucky she didn't knee you for that. She grabbed Grastle's balls and wouldn't let go when he tried that shit with her."
I relax now that Seithe's good humour is back. There's some shit in this family I can tell. Unspoken tensions tight enough to garrotte anyone half asleep.
Ellindt smiles and stares down at me, "Pity. I was looking forward to tasting her."
I offer her my hand, "Cut my finger and taste."
Jowendrhan manifests standing next to Ellindt. His smile charming, hazardously so. Presenting a blade to Ellindt he smiles at me, "Blood sisters, how sweet." His eyes turn silver as he whispers into my ear, "I'm looking forward to being your blood brother."
"Touch her and I'll deport you straight to hell, Jowendrhan"
That was Seithe. I wonder if I'm a contest?
A gasp escapes as my finger is cut while I am distracted. My other hand is lifted, and before I can object Jowendrhan's mouth closes over the finger on my left hand.
"Well now this makes for interesting foreplay," I joke nervously. Ellindt licking my right hand's slashed finger, Jowendrhan flicking his tongue over the left one ensconced in his hot mouth.
Carefully I watch them, slowly feeling more in control of my own reaction to them. As if my choice has removed the power they held over my mind. Jowendrhan's eyes are becoming so brightly silver they are almost glowing.
Seithe steps between us, shoving them away, off me, "That's enough. Now fuck off."
Jowendrhan whispers into my ear again as he trails the others out, "If you need me just call my name."
Swallowing nervously I snake my arm around Seithe's waist, pulling myself closer, seeking security.
Ellindt pauses and French kisses Seithe, "Bye brother," she gushes breathlessly, before laughing seductively and sashaying away, her arm slipping into the crook of the tall and blond Arelstin. He pauses to kiss her neck. Her perfume lingers as her voice reverberates back to us. And then they all simply vanish.
Jeez that was tense.
Chapter 23: Jowendrhan
Automatically I suck my finger, it's still bleeding.
"
NO!
"
I'm stunned speechless at Seithe's violent slapping of my hand out of my mouth. Alarmed, my heartbeat thumping through my body in fright, I realise I'm holding my breath.
"
Fuck Phoebe!
"
I swallow nervously, "What? What did I do?"
His expression is outraged, appalled, disappointed.
"Never swap body fluids with another Vampyre."
He turns and punches the wall behind us. I wither visibly with the force and sound of crunching. It's official, I'm scared. I stare at my bleeding finger, ashamed without knowing why. His hand closes over mine, lifting it and my gaze with it. Absently he licks the droplets forming, a despairing expression on his face.
"He knew you'd do that."
"What did I do?"
"He sucked that finger, then you put the same finger in your mouth. Sealing the connection."
"What connection?"
He leers at me, intimidating in both stature and expression, "He can reach you now! Any time! Anywhere!"
"That's not my fault! You don't explain things to me! You can't expect me to just know the rules!"
My mind's racing as I piece the puzzle gaps together. "You were in my home, you bloody liar!"
He grins, instantly transforming his livid face into irresistible handsomeness. "You didn't have to know that. I didn't directly lie, I just skirted the issue."
I'm bothered now. I have a churning worry in my stomach, acidic and burning. "What does this mean, Seithe?"
"It means you're going to have to be careful. Don't do that again. Ever!"
Nodding instant agreement my fearful eyes watch him.
"I'll try and take care of the problem. I just hope he respects that I found you first."
Hello? I feel righteous anger seeping through me.
"Excuse me?" Sarcastic eyebrows. "You found me first? Seithe, you don't own me."
He gives me the, 'Oh for fuck's sake' expression.
"In my world I did! I saved you from yourself. Without me you would have been a midnight feast that night at Pravus. Without me showing ownership of you by taking you into a private chamber, you wouldn't be here now to have this discussion!"
Advancing in a menacing manner, I find myself walking backward. His anger is making his eyes glow.
"Without me rescuing you from Grastle and shoving you up against that wall and sticking my tongue in your mouth you wouldn't have walked out alive. The red eyes would have
destroyed
you
!"
Gulp. Breathe, just breathe.
"
I own you for your own stupid sake!
"
My chest is heaving, panic is engulfing me. But I just can't stop myself.
"You don't own me."
"
Fine! Fuck off then! Deal with Jowendrhan on your own!
"
He steps toward me, to touch me, probably to transport me home, when I turn and run.
I just run! Blindly. I don't know the layout, but I'm running down this fucking dead straight passage, throwing myself through the first door I come to.
He appears standing in front of me and I run straight into him.
Smacking his arm away, twisting to get out of his arms around me like a straitjacket, objecting, "No!
No!
"
I don't want to go home yet. I don't want to be left alone with another vampire. One is enough!
"Fuck woman. You are worse than an earthworm when it comes to wriggling."
"I'm sorry! Okay! I'm really sorry!"
I lose the fight. I don't have the energy. I can't keep up with heat overload, delving into a world where I'm the alien.
"Why did you say no?"
"Because I'm not ready to leave you."
"No to Ellindt."
I look into his brown eyes, feeling stripped of strength.
"I remembered the bathroom incident. You wanted me to say no. I don't know your reasons why, but I chose to trust your judgement on it."
He lifts me, squeezing the breath out of me, his mouth smothering mine.
"Can't breathe." Gaaaaaassp.
He releases me; torches flare into bright existence.
Slumping down onto an almost black wine red carpet, I stare at my hands.
"Jowendrhan is my brother. One thing we all desire is to know human love. I didn't just rescue you for your own sake. I like what I see. So does Jowendrhan. He'll make a move on you, so expect it. I wouldn't put it passed Ellindt to try her luck with you either."
I look up, lordy he's tall from this angle.
"Why did his eyes flare like that?"
"Arousal."
Oh god! A shiver stutters through me.
"And challenge. You witnessed it. I know you did."
"When his eyes turned silver staring at you?"
He lowers to my level, "Yes."
"You should have warned me."
"I'm not allowed to. You have complete free will. I may not interfere or influence any of your decisions. If you walk into a trap, that is meant to be your problem. But I feel possessive about you. I don't want them messing you up."
Swallowing thickly, I really am feeling weak. "So you heat up when you're angry too? Why was he so hot?"
"Because he wants to fuck you. We can't hide what we feel, you can sense it by the colour of our eyes and the amount of heat we're releasing."
"Seithe! How can you put me in this position! Bloody hell! I can't handle your heat and craziness, let alone your entire pod!"
He starts laughing.
"I
was
protecting you until you stuck your finger in your mouth. Don't say his name. Ever."
I nod nervously, I have no idea why I'm agreeing, or what I'm agreeing to.
"You summon with your voice. You are made in God's image, with his voice. If you say our names, as angels we have to answer the call. But only because you have marked us with your scent."
"Just you and your brother?"
"Yes."
"Why did she kiss you like that?"
"To fuck with you. To give us issues. To share body fluids."
"I'm tired."
"Minxy, I'm sorry. I forget how human you are." He lifts me up when he stands, "Go sleep. I'll wake you later for dinner."
I nod. Sleep might be good. Then I can be less emotional. "Good idea."
He places a hand on my head, one on my heart, with a sickening lurch, I find myself back in the mocha bedroom.
Tiredly I crawl into the middle of the bed, curling up. I'm too hot. I've been bloody infected with vampire heat. In annoyance I kick off my shoes, and haul off my shirt and jeans, breaking the silent neat rule by shoving them off the bed and onto the floor. This place needs windows.
Closing my eyes with emotional exhaustion, I consider that an open window and a breeze would be a luxury. Yawn. Hmm. So comfy …
*
Back in pitch darkness I squirm out of his hands.
"I'm sleeping ..."
"Pressure."
Dammit. I can't be permanently aroused. My body's going to divorce me soon.
"What about it?"
"You love it."
"Crap."
I notice silver eyes briefly flaring as his hot fingers whisper over my skin.
"Then why do you cover my hand and press it against your skin when I tease you? Pressure is what you crave."
I roll away, choosing to ignore him. I'm clinging to sleep sedation, hoping to reclaim it.
His tongue traces my neck. I ignore it. Shameless fingers rub heat over my knickers, creating friction.
"I can smell your arousal. You can't hide it from me."
I roll onto my back and stare blindly into the dark. My heartbeat is accelerating.
"You can't hide your erratic heartbeat. We hear human hearts at a hundred paces. Our sense of smell is rivalled only by a shark's ability to sense blood in water. I can smell your skin, your breath, your heat, your lust."
He breathes hotly into my ear, "Your little body is craving pressure."
"No, it's not."
He pushes his hand hard between my legs, "Liar. You just held your breath." A confident finger presses on my pleasure point, "You like that? Tell me again that you don't crave pressure."
Lordy, the heat between my legs is turning me into an amoeba. He's turning me inside out.
Lazy fingertips trace my skin and circle my nipple. A frustrated groan escapes when I hold his hand still.
"You want the pressure."
Hot breath caressing my neck, "Can you deny what I can smell? I can feel your body reacting Phoebe."
The other hand makes tiny circles over my pink lace g-string, increasing the pressure. My heart is going berserk. I can hardly breathe normally. My cheeks are flooding with heat as moisture saturates to reach his hand. His hot mouth covers my nipple, a tongue circling it, he pulls it into his mouth with sucking, forcing a harsh tongue into a tirade of sensation, causing ripples through me.
Parting my knees, I push against the hand.
Breath bathes my breast when his mouth releases my skin, "You like that pressure don't you?"
Whisper. "Yes." I can't think. I give up. He just knows how to play me.
"You're hot, Phoebe. You're so ready to receive me."
"Yes," gasping whisper.
I don't object when I lose my knickers. He loves playing games. I love playing them with him. His fingers tease me, tracing pressured circles where heat is suffusing into my limbs. I want him. I want him now!
"Do you want more pressure, Phoebe?"
"Yes."
The finger against my detonation button moves, teasing me by slipping slowly inside me.
"Not enough pressure is it?"
My heartbeat is drowning out sound. My need is consuming me. Desire suffocating out every other sense.