The Power of One (The Forever series Book Two) (7 page)

I stand again, shaking out my hands. Eyes closed, I try
again. I open one. Shit, still in my bedroom.

Okay, time to try a different tactic.

Ignoring my phone buzzing away in my pocket, I think not of
the place, but of Cole. I want to be where he is. I want to feel his arms
around me, his mouth on mine.

“Liv!” CK, Cole, and Devon all yell at me and I open my eyes
as they descend on me, hugging me to make sure I’m really there. “I’m fine,” I
grumble, trying to untangle myself from this very arousing group hug.

“Where the fuck did you go?” CK demands. He does overly
concerned so well.

“L.A. My bedroom, more specifically.”

“I couldn’t sense you,” CK says worriedly. “It was like you
were just… gone.” He pulls me to him, stroking my hair and whispering to me in
Italian to never scare him like that again.

Pulling away, I try to explain that I wanted out of the
room, away from all the arguing and tension and I pictured my house that Cole
would share with me when we got home. Cole looks pleased with that and takes my
hand. “The next second, I was there. I Teleported home.”

CK is shaking his head as is Gregor and even Eloise. “No,”
he says, “you didn’t Teleport, my sweet. It was the same as with the glass. A
swirl of black fog.”

I gape at him. “I displaced, myself?” I ask rhetorically.
“It was weird. I couldn’t get back right away. It took me several tries to get
back here. It was only when I thought of getting back to Cole that I came
back.” Cole looks pleased as punch and hugs me to him. CK’s face tightens
briefly at my words but then resumes its usual features. “Well, my love, it
looks like your abilities are surpassing our own. The Power of One, indeed.” He
looks at me with pride and I grin back as Devon suddenly pulls me into a hug.

“Don’t fucking disappear like that again. You fucking
freaked me out,” he whispers. I nod reassuringly, telling him that I’m not
going anywhere.

Things start to move forward quite quickly after my little
disappearing act. I haven’t been able to do it since which is quite annoying
for an overachiever such as myself. Devon takes great delight in telling me
that it’s because I don’t want it enough. So ironic, seeing as I keep harping
on at him about the Shifting thing. Thankfully, I
can
still Shift. Thank
the old gods. I was quite concerned it might have gotten lost in the new Power
Surge. Gregor, Eloise, and most especially James left us alone soon after,
along with CK and Nico, leaving Nico's two security guys with us.  I can’t
imagine any reason why they would need to be here, but CK’s resolved face was
in place when I protested, so I relented. The three of us thoroughly enjoyed
the rest of what was left of the weekend having made our appearance on the
track, dressed to the nines before the start on Sunday. The press all over us
like flies to honey with Cole’s movie star fame and Devon, unfortunately, being
a regular in the tabloids as a billionaire playboy. My own fame is quite silly.
I am rich, young and pretty and quite the powerhouse in the business world but
I work in real estate. A rock star, I am not. I just don’t get why people are
interested in seeing my face everywhere. It’s not exactly low profile and is a
concern for me for when we have to move onto the next life, but word got out of
our engagement and Cole and I were hounded over the details. Grinning like
fools, we were now quite happy to share our story and Cole handled it all
really well considering the crowds of humans must have been driving his bloodlust
into overdrive. God knows my own mouth was watering when we got back to the
suite to watch the rest of the race.

XXXXX

The flight back to L.A. was uneventful; Cole and Devon were
getting on like a house on fire, which warmed my heart. I know how hard it must
be for Cole. I never had to go through the “sibling rivalry” with CK, or at
least not so much in that fact that he was sleeping with any of his other
charges while we were together… that I know of at any rate, but I have come
across some of them from time to time. The less said about that the better.

Devon and I took great delight in Nice’s duty free as Cole
rolled his eyes at us, muttering about eccentric billionaires.

Once back on the ground in L.A., we have to pit stop at the
Vampire club, X-tasy (yes, a highly original name… not… but nothing to do with
me). Cole needs to feed and until we find him a regular feeder this will have
to do.

It’s a bit of a dungeon. I’m not a massive fan of the place,
although Devon and I have visited here before. It is more of a place for the
lower class Vampires. The weak ones stuck to the shadows. Master Vampires, such
as myself having been sired from an Initial Vampire, are not too common in
here. There are few Greater Immortals, aside from Devon and Cole, and yet more
Lesser Immortals knocking about along with a handful of human employees. All
eyes turn to us as we walk in. As it is early evening, the place is not busy as
the majority of their clientele will only be here after dark. I send Devon to
find a feeder. I keep Cole close, even though he is a Greater Immortal he is
still brand new and in spite of the lower levels in the Vampire hierarchy, all
of them here are older and stronger and jealousy is rife that he has been
turned by me. Devon returns shortly with a man. He shrugs, “Only one willing
for a newbie.”

I exhale in frustration. Cole has more control in two days
than all of these creatures would have had over two years. He’s looking less
than comfortable with feeding from a man and I understand that he still
associates biting as being an intimate act and not a form of survival, but he
still agrees. He’s hungry and that’s too strong of a feeling to deny.

“It feels a little weird,” he whispers as we head to a back
room. “Biting is so intimate.”

“Baby, it’s only intimate when you do it during sex. This is
just food,” I say to the alarm of the man. I shoot him an apologetic look and
shrug. “Sometimes you just have to do it.”

He nods steadfast. “Okay. Don’t stop me unless I need
stopping. I want to try and do this on my own,” he whispers quietly so as not
to alarm the man any further.

“Are you sure?” I murmur.

“Yes. I think I can do it.”

To my surprise he does do it on his own. Maybe over by a
second or two but he pulls back. Snapping his fangs back into place, he pulls
me to him and I kiss him. “Good boy,” I murmur against his lips, and he glows
with pride.

As we exit the back room and go in search of Devon, the club
has filled up some. It must be dark out now.

“Stay close,” I mutter, gripping his hand hard.

“What is this place?” he asks. “You know, apart from…” he
waves at the room we just left.

“It’s a Vampire BDSM club,” I say and his mouth drops open,
as he looks round.

“Have you been here before?” he asks curiously.

“Yes. Devon and I have been here a couple of times, when we
first came to town.”

His eyes bug out. “You’re into all that? I knew you were
adventurous but…”

I smile deviously, “Oh my love, you have only seen the tip
of the iceberg.”

His eyes narrow, “Oh really? Tell me more.”

But by this time we have found Devon and I flash him a
cheeky “Sorry we are out of time” smile and he huffs at me.

“Ready?” Devon asks.

I nod, “Yes, I need to get out of here.”

“Me too,” he says, flexing his shoulders.

“Why, what’s wrong?” Cole asks.

“Too much sexual energy. It’s driving us crazy,” Devon
replies. I glare at him over his use of “us” and he shrugs, “Sorry. Habit.”

Pulling Cole along behind me, we make a hasty exit. Devon
and I both take deep breaths when we get outside, clearing the headiness of the
club from our senses. Cole is watching with interest. “It affects you? Sexual
energy?”

“Yes. It sets off your primal instincts. It’s why orgies are
so common with our kind,” Devon says, just full of unnecessary information as
usual.

“Orgies?” Cole croaks as I snap, “Devon! Enough.”

Grayson is waiting with the car and we all pile into the
back seat, me sandwiched between the two.

Oh god. This seating arrangement combined with the club’s
atmosphere is affecting me, big time. Clearing my throat, I let go of Cole and
clamber onto the bench seat running down the side of the car. Cole looks
surprised but Devon just snickers. “Turned on, Kitten?” he asks with glee and I
glare at him in unrestrained anger.

“Err, Liv?” Cole asks hesitantly. “Are you…”

“I’m fine!” I snap before he can finish his sentence. He
accepts my answer, but probably just because he is relieved I didn’t start an
orgy of our own right there on the back seat.

XXXXX

Thankfully we arrive back home with no incidents.

“Showering,” I say briefly,--and I’ve never been so grateful
for a gift--before I swirl off in my smoky black glow and end up in my
bathroom. Undressing, I turn the shower on and step in just as the door bursts
open and in race Cole and Devon with concern on their faces.

“What the fuck?” I snap.

“You disappeared, again. We were worried,” Cole says as
Devon just stares at me.

“I’m fine,” I say again, although my shoulder is burning.
More bonding I suppose, over their concern for me. “So unless you’re going to
join me… get out!” I practically yell.

Exchanging glances, Devon looks amenable until Cole glares
him out of the bathroom and they both exit.

Finally alone to deal with this overwhelming urge to take
both my boys to bed, I stand with my head under the running water. It’s calming
and soothing and I get myself under control. Stepping out, I grab for a towel
but pause in front of the mirror. Turning, I look back over to see the one inch
diameter has increased now to nearly five inches.

Huh. It’s currently dormant. No flames of pain. I guess Cole
and Devon are no longer bonding. Grabbing my comb I pull it through my hair
while pondering this bizarre chain of events. Not bothering to dry it, I just
clip it off my face as I move to the bedroom to get dressed. Closing my eyes, I
reach out and sense Devon in the bar. Concentrating harder I sense Cole with
him.

Dressing quickly, I concentrate on Cole and swirl out of
existence and down to them in the bar, making them both jump a mile.

“Seem to be getting the hang of that. Everything okay with
you two?” I ask and they nod in unison.

“Everything okay with you?” Cole asks pointedly.

“I’m good baby,” I sit next to him and take his hand. “This
Power Surge is exaggerating a lot of my feelings, especially in regard to the
two of you.” I look over at Devon. “Every time the mark grows, it gets worse. I
just need to get it under control.”

Cole nods. “Just remember what we talked about,” he pleads
quietly.

“I know baby,” I reassure him as Devon looks at us intrigued
but wisely stays silent for once.

My Blackberry buzzing interrupts the growing silence. It’s
CK. “You’re home safe?” he asks before I even say hello.

“Yes, it’s all fine,” I say, irrationally irritated by his
concern.

“Good. The ceremony has been arranged for a week on
Wednesday so be in Milan on Tuesday so I can go over some things with you.”

“Yes, sir!” I snap as he, in usual fashion, hasn’t bothered
to ask.

He growls at my tone. “Liv,” he warns.

I falter in my anger all of a sudden, “I’m sorry. I’m all
over the place. This Power Surge is driving me crazy,” and to my absolute
mortification I start crying.

Two seconds later, CK has blinked to my side and is holding
me tenderly, crooning to me in Italian.

Much to Cole’s annoyance, which I can sense rather than see
as my face is buried against CK’s chest. Sniffling like an idiot I pull away
wiping at my eyes and CK hands me a hanky, which just sets me off even more.

“Liv, my sweet. Talk to me. Tell me what you are feeling,”
he says still in Italian.

Having the presence of mind to at least switch to English
before Cole blows a gasket, I shrug and say, “I don’t know. Everything just
feels… ‘more’. I don’t really know how else to describe it.” I sigh as both
Cole and CK take my hands while Devon just looks at me at a loss. The last time
he saw me cry was in 1746 and that was for a very good reason. He kneels in
front of me and places his hands on my knees. I smile weakly at him and he
smiles in return, reassuring me.

“I’m sorry,” I say suddenly feeling more idiotic than I have
ever felt. “This is ridiculous.” I pull away from them and stand. I take a step
towards the bar but then realize I don’t have to. Might as well use this Power
that is sending me into a snivelling mess. Thinking of a glass of Talisker, it
appears. I thankfully take a big sip, feeling the peaty heat slide down my
throat. Turning to face my sire and my boys, I force a smile on my face. “I’m
fine now.”

Cole doesn’t believe me though. “Liv, you’ve been saying
that for days now. Clearly you aren’t fine,” he snaps then shrugs
apologetically when I glare at him.

“I have to agree,” CK says. “Come to Milan with me now,
where I can look after you.”

Cole glares at him and clears his throat. “If she goes, I
go,” he states and CK just looks at him mildly.

“Same here,” Devon says.

“I’m not going anywhere!” I blurt out in frustration. “At
least not yet. I… we… will be in Milan on Tuesday next week as ordered.”

CK glares at my defiance but I really don’t care right now.

“Look, Cole needs stability, not to be dragged halfway
across the world and back again. I am fine. I will deal with this.”

“Fine,” CK grudgingly concedes to my surprise. He turns to
Cole and Devon. “If anything happens to her between now and then, I will blame
you. Both of you,” he says menacingly.

Devon just glares at him, while Cole nods quickly.