Vampire's Desire Read online

  The things he did to her body made it sing. She was so close to the edge, yet he held her back. His tongue danced along her sex and she decided right that minute nothing in the world could feel better. Well, except when he’d referred to her as his love. Her heart nearly melted, but she had to remind herself this wasn’t about love. Or even bonding. It was about her no longer being a virgin so her brother couldn’t take her power. If she made it a few more days, maybe it wouldn’t matter that Lowan contained what power she held in a glass bead. Maybe her birth date would override that. She shoved all thoughts of war and power from her mind as Lucan continued his tongue tease.

  She tugged on her restraints, wanted so much to touch him. To make him feel as good as she did, but it wasn’t what he desired. She had always known about the darkness and hoped her blood helped bring a little more light to his life. Though, she was rather enjoying the dark vampire and the naughty things he was doing to her body.

  “Want you so bad,” she whispered.

  He slid a finger into her channel and she hissed. “More.”

  To her surprise, he complied with her wishes and added a second finger. Moving them in and out with a slight twist of his wrist. His mouth, hot and damp on her sex while his tongue flicked across her clit. She worked her hips, unable to remain still. All she could think about was release to this blissful torture, but Lucan kept her on the edge. Every time she drew near her climax, he would back off until she wanted to cry.

  “Please, I don’t know how much more I can take.”

  “You will take as much as I have to give.” Then he sucked hard on her clit and she shattered. Fell into an abyss of colored light that exploded around her. Over and over, the sensation washed over her until she was an exhausted heap of burning flesh. When Lucan pulled away, and she could catch her breath again, he surprised her by first releasing her left wrist from its restraint. He kissed then suckled the spot at the base of her wrist, causing already over-sensitive nerves to fire up again. When he reached for her other wrist, she grew disappointed that their play might be over. Had he decided not to take her virginity? He didn’t want her?

  Lucan pulled her into his arms and stared into her eyes. “I have to ask again, are you certain you want this?”

  She released her breath. He was making sure of her choice. “Yes. More than anything I want to be with you.”

  He kissed her. The taste of her mingled with dark chocolate and now with her hands free, she touched his face. Felt the softness of the growth on his jaw against her fingertips. With her other hand, she dared trace a line down his chest until she reached his erection. She tried best she could to wrap her hand around it, but he was difficult. Would she be able to accommodate his size?

  He moaned at her stroking which pleased her immensely. She wanted nothing more than to make him feel as good as he had her.

  He broke the kiss. “You keep that up and I will spend my seed in your hand.”

  She squeezed harder, wanting only to please him. He flashed his fangs and her own lengthened with a need to taste him. He brushed his thumb across her points and sent a shiver over her entire body. Sabin had no idea they could be so sensitive.

  “Take me,” she pleaded.

  He pushed her onto her back and poised himself at her sex. The tip of his cock touched her opening and if not for the fact he pinned her hips down, she would have already impaled herself on him.

  He was about to enter heaven. Slide inside his mate and end both their torture. It had been all he could do to hold out this long, but he had managed. Now, he wanted to take her fast, slow, hard and soft until neither of them could move for a week. The feel of her velvety flesh touching the tip of his cock was almost enough to make him forget his control.

  Lucan!

  Marcus slammed into his head.

  Go the fuck away! If he could slay his leader at that moment he would.

  Why the demons and wards around your home? Let me the hell in.

  He had to be shitting. Not now, asshole!

  Get your ass out here now. That is an order!

  Son of a bitch.

  “Lucan? What’s wrong?”

  He moved away, scrubbed a hand over his face then reached for his jeans. “I’m being summoned.”

  “Now?”

  “Yeah, now.” He despised the look of despair on her face and would kill his leader for it. “You should get dressed.”

  “Okay.” She moved off the bed and the look of desire still lingering in her eyes almost undid him. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know, but I guess it’s time my brethren find out I have you here with me.”

  “This will not be a good way for them to find out, will it?” She jerked on her jeans and top.

  “No.” He stormed from the room trying to lock down his fury at such an interruption. His dick still trying to deflate from his arousal. Summoning his lead shadow warrior, the darkness bowed before him.

  “My lord.”

  “Allow the guardian inside.” Lucan made for the front door.

  “As you command.” The demon swept away and the front door sprang open. The storm that brewed around Marcus meant there was more going on than his commander being pissed at being locked out.

  “You best have a good reason for this interruption.” Lucan sensed Sabin behind him before her arm entwined in his. Marcus’s brow arched high before he scowled.

  “I believe the female at your side is reason enough.”

  Lucan widened his stance, arms crossed then leveled a glare on his commander. “This female is none of your concern.”

  “Oh I beg to fucking differ.” Marcus turned his attention to the woman at Lucan’s side. “Sabin, I assume?”

  Lucan growled and Marcus brought his focus back to Lucan. “Shut it.”

  Sabin stepped forward. “Would you two stop. Yes, I am Sabin.”

  “You should have told us you went for her.” This time Marcus growled. “Do you know the fucking trouble this has caused?”

  Lucan was in Marcus’s face. “You all but begged me to go for her.”

  “Yes, but not without our knowledge. Our help,” Marcus shouted.

  “I didn’t want to involve anyone,” Lucan replied.

  “Well, you did, you son of a bitch!” Marcus made a move for Lucan but again Sabin stepped between them and shoved a hand on each warrior’s chest.

  “Stop! For the love of the gods. What is this all about?”

  “Your brother has taken my mate and daughter. If he does not get you back in twenty-four hours, with your virginity intact he will…” Marcus’s voice cracked. “He will kill them both. Please fucking tell me you two didn’t…” He scrubbed his face.

  “We didn’t.” It was Sabin’s soft voice that broke through the tension.

  Someone might as well have shoved a dagger into Lucan’s heart and twisted. That bastard had Cassie and Ariana. The first child born to the guardians in centuries. The girl was only a little over four years old.

  “How?” Lucan asked, not understanding how it was possible for Lowan to get his hands on them. Marcus had been adamant about keeping his mate and daughter safely tucked away.

  “Apparently, Cassie decided to pay you a visit. I told her to wait and I would summon you to the compound and she could speak to you there.” Marcus spun and began to pace, rubbing the back of his neck. “But you know how she is. Independent as hell.”

  Lucan looked at his best friend. The man who had led him through war after war. Cassie had been the one to pull Lucan back from the claws of darkness when he had died in that shit-infested hole in a wall. Marcus right beside her. He looked at Sabin and realized how deep in this mess he was. He’d gone after this female when he’d felt her torture. Nothing in the universe would have stopped him. The fact that Marcus was keeping his shit together this well was a testament to the vampire’s will and strength as a warrior and their leader.

  “Then I must give myself up,” Sabin stated and Lucan’s heart sank furthe
r. There had to be another way to get Cassie and Ariana back.

  “No. You will not go back there,” Lucan shoved out the command.

  Marcus shook his head. “He will kill them, regardless.”

  “Are you in touch with Cassie?” Lucan asked.

  “No. I’m blocked from both of them, but I know they are alive. Besides the fact that I saw them when Lowan dared send me the video, I don’t feel their loss.”

  While Lucan wasn’t mated, he understood the connections between loved ones. If Marcus felt his family was still alive, then they needed to act fast.

  “Then what do you propose?” Sabin wrung her hands.

  Marcus’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know, but I need you both at the compound so we can figure out a plan. I’m not letting anyone fucking die on my watch.”

  Sabin shoved down anger and swallowed the foul-tasting emotion. There was no way in hell she was letting her brother harm anyone let alone a child. She would do anything. Absolutely anything to not let that happen. Lucan took her hand and pulled her close then looked at his leader.

  “Give us a moment then we’ll be along.”

  Marcus gave a nod. “Don’t be long. Please.”

  “We won’t.”

  “Fine. I’ll see you there soon.” Marcus flashed away.

  “Sabin. I refuse to let you give yourself to Lowan.”

  She started to speak but was cut off.

  “I knew that’s what you intended even before you spoke the words.” He sighed. “It seems I took enough of your blood that I can feel you.”

  She looked up at him. “You can?” They wouldn’t become officially mated until they performed the ceremony, but maybe because they were both guardians, things were different for them? She had nothing to reference their relationship against.

  “I felt a connection to you before. It’s why I came for you once I realized it was your pain I felt. Taking your blood has only tightened that connection.” He surprised her by pulling his shirt back off. Were they going to do it now? After what they were told?

  She would not allow it.

  “Sabin, drink from me. I want you to have the same connection I do.”

  “Lucan, I… Are you certain? Evidently, some kind of bond had already started on your end and we haven’t even performed the mating ritual.”

  “I’m positive.” He pulled her closer. “Whatever the gods fated for us will be no matter what we decide.”

  “Does this mean you trust me?” She had given him her trust earlier, but was he willing to do the same?

  “Honestly, I still don’t know, but I have to start somewhere. Just give me time, you have to earn my trust bit by bit.”

  She understood the position he had to take on this. Probably would take the same herself in his place. “Okay.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  “I will earn your trust. This I swear.” Then she kissed his neck. Suckled the skin before sinking her fangs and filling her mouth with his sweet, powerful blood. With each pull, she became more connected to this man. Became more a part of him and he of her. After several deep pulls, she retracted her fangs and licked the wound closed. They stared at each other for several minutes, saying nothing yet speaking volumes.

  “We should go before Marcus sends the entire team after me.”

  She nodded. “Lucan, you know I will give myself to Lowan to save them.”

  “I know, but I won’t let him take you. Somehow, we will figure out a way to save all of you.”

  “If only the Phoenix would come back.”

  “Are you ready to meet the others?”

  “Yes, let’s go.”

  Lucan flashed them to the compound entrance where Marcus flung open the door with a snarl for a greeting.

  Chapter Twelve

  “You brought them here?” the Phoenix questioned with a raised brow.

  “I couldn’t believe my luck. The two of them popped in from thin air and my men grabbed them,” Lowan replied.

  “I swear, you touch my daughter and I will gut you. Heal you, then gut you again for eternity,” Cassie spat then focused angry eyes on the Phoenix. “You. I cannot believe you are here with him. Everyone has been worried sick about you!”

  Pyros glared. “Nephew. I will take this one and her daughter into my custody.”

  Lowan stared at the god then began to laugh. “The child is my bargaining chip to get Sabin back.”

  “You plan to return either of them once you get what you want?”

  “Of course not.” Lowan scoffed. “They are a casualty of war.”

  The god stormed across the room, flames danced across his skin and reflected in his eyes. “Give them to me and I am not asking.” Pyros’s voice vibrated across Lowan’s skin and sank to his bones.

  “If I don’t?”

  Pyros smiled. “You will feel a wrath like never before.”

  Now Lowan was getting pissed. “You cannot break the laws of the gods. None of you can harm me in any way.”

  The god’s grin widened. “I don’t recall any rules, therefore I’m not bound by them.” His brow arched. “Care to test me?” Power filled the room and threatened to snuff out anything within a hundred miles. “They seek to kill me, therefore, they are mine to punish.”

  “Fine. You may take them, but they remain my hostages.” He would comply. For now.

  “You may strike whatever deal you wish, but the females belong to me.”

  Cassie clutched her daughter closer, as if that would help either of them.

  Lowan gave a slight bow. “As you wish, uncle.” He would obey only if it pleased him. Maybe he would keep the child and raise her as his own. That could prove interesting. Yes. He rather liked the idea of raising the guardian’s daughter to hate her father. As far as her mother, Lowan would give her to the demons. If she were lucky, they’d rip her apart quickly.

  He headed for the door, a snarl on his lips. The guardians refused to submit to his will, therefore they would pay. Dearly.

  Lucan escorted Sabin down the corridor with Marcus at his side and he felt almost like he was walking to a sentencing for a crime. Maybe he should have told the others about Sabin. At least that would have given them the warning they needed to remain alert. Protect their families, but then again Lowan had snatched them from Lucan’s home. A place the demigod would never have been if not for Lucan. He failed to protect Sabin and by doing so, failed Cassie and Ariana.

  Sabin took his hand and gave a squeeze. He needed to remember to snap a lid on his thoughts. Sabin was already riddled with guilt, she didn’t need his too.

  They entered the conference room where everyone looked up and stared at him. Seth and Katie on one side, Ranata and Baal next to them followed by Caleb, Lileta and Gwen. Cassie’s chair sat empty, and a vise squeezed his heart.

  Marcus took the seat at the head of the table that was reserved for Aidyn. Before Lucan took his own seat, he pulled out a chair for Sabin and indicated for her to sit. Then, he met the stares of the broken men and women in the room.

  “I’m so sorry. Had I known––”

  “Don’t. I know you meant well and never wished for this to happen,” Marcus said. “We need to work on a plan and fast.”

  Lucan offered a nod in understanding. Right now, there wasn’t anyone in this room who wouldn’t kill Lowan for what he had done. He took his seat and forced all emotions aside. It was time to unleash the cold-blooded killer inside him.

  Sabin stood. “I just want you all to know that I plan to go back. I will make sure your daughter and mate return safely.” She directed the last part to Marcus.

  “No. I will not have another life on my conscience,” Marcus stated. “I know my daughter and mate are unharmed at the moment, so we need another plan.”

  “Can we trick Lowan? Pretend like we’re making a trade?” Lileta asked.

  “He’ll be expecting that,” Sabin responded.

  “There has to be a way. I mean, we are each powerful and smart. Co
mbined, I believe we can come up with a plan.” Marcus’s words resonated with Lucan.

  Lucan cleared his throat. “I think we have a bigger problem at play here.”

  “What could possibly be bigger?” Marcus growled.

  “When I took Sabin, we went to my mountain home. Lowan found us so we had to flee. I went to New Orleans and summoned Sidara for help.”

  Everyone leaned in.

  “She indicated that a god had put a tracking spell on Sabin, but couldn’t say who.”

  “I’m not even sure my being here is safe for any of you,” Sabin chimed in.

  “Was she able to break the spell?” Katie asked.

  “Yes, but wasn’t certain it couldn’t happen again. You see where I’m going with this?” Lucan asked.

  “That one of our gods has betrayed us.” Marcus slammed his fists on the table. “Mother fuck!”

  “I don’t understand. Who would do this?” Gwen was near tears which only made Marcus snarl more.

  “I’ll tell you who. That bastard Zarek is always interfering in our lives,” Marcus offered.

  “But what would he gain by this?” Katie posed the question.

  “No idea, but I can’t believe he doesn’t know what’s going on. He is after all the king of the gods.” Marcus touched Gwen’s cheek. “Don’t fear, sister, I will bring them back.”

  “Has no one heard from Aidyn?” Lucan asked. “I thought we needed him in order to kill Lowan.” Lucan worried that until the god reappeared, they would be screwed and right now, no one knew when that might be. He looked to Katie, hoping since the Phoenix was her father, she might have been in contact with him.

  “I wish I could say I have,” she replied. “It’s frustrating as hell.”