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“I KNEW YOU WOULD COME back to us.”
Full-blood Vladimir Madison considered the tall vampire with the bronze skin and short salt-and-pepper hair in silence for several moments.
What the hell had possessed him to come back here to the stronghold of the vampire protection league, known as The Defense League of the Brotherhood? The last time he had been here it had been in the company of his brothers and sister. He and his twin Aleksei had been intent on forcing Vitali Boucaro, who headed the League, to call Deoctra and her shifter lackey Tucker Falcone off of their sons.
Although they had not quite come to blows, after a twenty-something-year association with the League, Vlad and Vitali had parted on bad terms. He wasn’t quite sure what force had drawn him here now. But here he was.
He grinned. “Then you shouldn’t sound so surprised to see me.” He ran up the stairs and stood facing Vitali.
Vitali glanced over his shoulder. “I don’t suppose you brought that delectable sister of yours with you.”
Vlad frowned. “Which one? I have two, you know.”
“Two? So you decided to embrace the Dumonts after all, and openly call Katie Dumont your sister?”
Vlad’s smile vanished. After well over three hundred years of thinking his mother had deserted both he and his siblings, Vlad had learned that she had remarried and had another family, which included three baby vamps. Although the middle vamp, Serge, had a fiery spirit with which Vlad could identify, the youngest vamp, Katie, and the older one, Mikhel, annoyed the hell out of him. Mikhel, who had taken his place in their mother’s affection as favorite child, was a particular source of aggravation to Vlad. What he wouldn’t give to rip out the supercilious, over-privileged vamp’s throat and leave him lying dead in a gutter somewhere.
“I will never embrace those pampered pups.”
Vitali tilted his head to one side. “Would you help them if they needed it?”
Serge? Probably. Maybe even the pissant Katie who had, after all, been instrumental in helping him and Aleksei locate their sons. But Mikhel? Never! He spat on the step. “Maybe after hell freezes over. Maybe not even then.”
“Ahhh.” Vitali smiled, inclining his head. “Just as I thought.”
“Why do you ask?”
Vitali shrugged. “Just making conversation. So your sister Tatiana is not with you?”
“No.” He leveled a finger at the other vamp’s chest. “Remember that she is my sister. My little sister, Vitali. You stay the hell away from her.”
Vitali’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “What brings you here, Vladimir?”
He shook his head. “I have no idea.”
“It doesn’t matter. As long as you remember where your allegiance lies this time, you are welcome back among us, Vladimir.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means the next time sides need to be taken, you come down on the right side—the side of The Brotherhood.”
Vlad stared at the other vampire. There was an undercurrent to Vitali’s voice that urged him to proceed with caution. Hell, humans had to concern themselves with such nonsense, not vampires. “As long as my siblings are not on the other side, there will be no problem.”
“Of which set of siblings are you speaking?”
“The only set who matters. Aleksei, Tatiana and Andrei.”
“And the Dumonts? What of them?”
“What of the annoying, pissy little baby vamps who’ve always had everything handed them on a damned silver platter?” He looked around. “Are Falcone and Diniti here?”
“No. They are engaged in a little bit of revenge that just might interest you.”
Recalling that Falcone had nearly killed Aleksei’s son Acier and endangered his own son Etienne, Vlad doubted it. “And does this revenge have your blessing?”
“I have no particular interest one way or the other. I hope that you are not holding a grudge against either of them.”
True, Deoctra had caused grief to his younger siblings, but as he held no particular regard for any of the Dumont baby vamps, he couldn’t see holding that against her. And although she had worked to wrest control of the shifter pack from his nephew Acier, in the end Acier had been victorious. Instead of leading one pack, Acier now led two. So no actual harm had been done.
Besides, with his own son Etienne still in the grip of the most powerful and destructive bloodlust Vlad had ever encountered, he had other, more pressing concerns than holding a grudge.
He shrugged. “As long as they both stay out of my face, I’ll stay out of their business.”
“I have your word on that?”
Vlad frowned. Once given, he felt bound by his word. Was it wise to give his word when he had no idea what he was agreeing to? Oh, what the hell. “Yes, as long as they’re not plotting revenge against Aleksei, Tatiana or Andrei.”
“They’re not.”
He frowned. “Or Etienne.”
“They both know better than to menace your son, Vladimir.”
“Then I can’t see it being any concern of mine what they are up to.”
Vitali laughed and threw an arm across his shoulders. “Good! Now, come in and you can tell me about that son of yours. I hear he’s making quite a name for himself with his whoring ways.”
Vlad sighed. Etienne was currently in the grip of the vampire plague called The Feast of Indulgence. It was a particularly dangerous time for a vampire. And that was one of the reasons he had returned to the Brotherhood—to seek the help of those he trusted to help watch over his precious son. With Aleksei out of state indefinitely and Tat trying to handle her own grief, who else would he turn to but the Brotherhood?
“I need to talk to you about him, Vitali.”
“Come in and tell me how we can help you. And him.”
* * * * *
NAKED AND AFRAID, JACE Makefield fled along the dark, moonlit road. Behind him, equally nude and far deadlier, a woman he had once loved, cherished and trusted raced in pursuit. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw her rapidly gaining on him, incisors bared, eyes glowing, feet barely touching the ground.
He heard her commands in his mind. Jace! My darling. Do not fear me, my love. Come to me. Come to me. Take me in your arms like old times. Draw me down to the road...I’ll part my legs and you can feast on my pussy...and then, my love...you know what comes next. We will be together for all eternity.
The urge, the temptation—the need to surrender to his hunger for her was difficult to resist. She had once been the center of his world—his reason for living. When she had died, he had nearly sunk into a void of despair. Now she was back, wanting and needing him as much as he needed her.
Ignoring the voice in his head that urged him to keep moving, he stopped and turned to face her.
She stopped also and stood several feet away, smiling, her arms open.
He drank in her lush loveliness. She was taller than he remembered. Her breasts were bigger, fuller, her legs longer, her pussy hidden by a dark, fragrant tangle of hair.
The hair she had always worn short fell around her slim shoulders in a dark, glorious cloud. Her formerly dark eyes were now a rather startling blue against dark skin the color of cocoa.
She wet a finger and stuck it inside the folds of her pussy. My darling Jace, come to me. Take me and make me yours again. Smiling, she lay on her back with her legs wide. Reaching down, she parted her outer lips, exposing her pussy.
He swallowed hard, buffeted by memories of their last time together, so long ago. How he had missed her...how he needed to taste her and then slide inside her mouth, her pussy, her sweet, tight ass...
That’s it, my love. Let the memories of our love surround you. Now come to me. Lie on top of me and thrust your cock into me. Remember how good my pussy always felt? How you enjoyed ravishing it again and again...plunging your hard cock into me until you were raw and I could barely walk? We can share all that passion and much more, my love. Come to me.
He started forward, his cock erect, his need for her rampant. Then, as if controlled like a puppet, he froze, his heart pounding with fear. Another voice sounded in his head. Resist her, Eric. If you surrender to her you will be lost.
She narrowed her gaze and intensified her hold on him, willing him to ignore the other voice. Come to me, my Jace. Come sample the pussy that is nice and wet and ready for your cock. It’s been too long since we knew such bliss and love.
Pulled in opposite directions, Jace surrendered to the one who had been calling to him the longest. Shaking off the second voice in his head, he moved slowly forward.
That’s it, my love. Come take me. Make me yours and I will make you mine.
He dropped to his knees beside her. She gripped his waist and stretched his body out on top of hers. He felt her breasts crush against his chest and caught his breath.
Curling her fingers around his neck, she forced his head down to hers. Her lips, cool and demanding, fastened on his. Kissing him in a manner that sucked the air from his lungs, she rolled him over onto his back.
Keeping her mouth sealed tightly over his, she lifted her hips and quickly impaled her pussy on his cock. The joy such a union had once produced was replaced by a sense of dread. Even as she slid up and down the length of his cock, he felt as if she were sapping his strength...along with his breath and his will. He feared when the process was complete, he would lose himself and be drawn into a world of darkness. Yet he was incapable of resisting the woman he loved.
Oh yes, my love! My Jace! You are almost mine again. Come for me, Jace. Release the last of your strength through your seed. Give it to me...Fill me with your seed so we may once again be as one. This time for all eternity. Come for me and I will brand you with my mark.
She rode him, her slick, wet cunt rippling around his pulsing cock, claiming it—and him—as her own. With his hands wrapped around her slender waist, he fought hard to hold onto the last of his will and not come. Because with the surrender of his seed, she would claim all that he was. Once that happened, he would be powerless to resist her and the dark purpose he sensed awaited him in her arms.
Unable to stop the tide of passion flaring out of control, he cried out and fought hard to keep from coming. He felt the rush of satisfaction shooting along his cock and knew he was about to lose himself to darkness as he came.
Just as his cock began to erupt, he shuddered in horror and descended into the bittersweet darkness awaiting him.
No, Eric. Fight it. Fight her. You must not surrender to her.
“No!” Jace bolted up. Heart racing, his body covered with sweat, he stared around the darkened room. It took several moments before he realized he was safe and alone in his own bed. Although the nightmare had returned, he would be safe—as long as he didn’t go to sleep again.
He collapsed against the damp sheets, shivering. Fighting his exhaustion, he forced himself to remain awake. He glanced at his bedside clock. 4:30. Feeling his eyes droop, he jumped out of bed and rushed into the adjoining bathroom. He stepped in the shower and shivered as the cold water washed over his body. Once the sun rose it would be safe to go back to bed. And then, God willing, he would not dream.
* * * * *
SEATED AT A WINDOW seat at her favorite coffeehouse, vampire fem Tatiana Madison-Forester watched the approach of another fem with conflicting emotions. Part of her was undeniably happy to see the slender young woman with long dark hair and vivid blue eyes. Another part was annoyed at the arrogance with which she dared approach.
The other fem paused at Tatiana’s table. “Do you mind if I join you?” She sat without waiting for Tatiana’s response.
As baby vamps went, her lack of manners was highly annoying and prone to get her a much-needed ass-whipping. As baby sisters went, her confidence sent a streak of sisterly pride through Tatiana.
Keeping her gaze on the other fem, Tatiana waved the waitress over. Without asking what she preferred or even if she wanted anything at all, Tatiana ordered an espresso and another extra-sweet decaf for herself.
“Why did you want to see me, Katie?”
Watching the play of emotions chase each other across Katie Dumont’s face, Tatiana suppressed a smile. Baby vamps were so easily read.
Katie tossed her head. “Somehow I thought you’d...I don’t know...spend at least a few moments making polite conversation before you cut right to the chase.”
An undercurrent of hurt underlay the words. Dismissing her annoyance, Tatiana inclined her head slightly. In Katie’s shoes, she supposed she’d feel the same way.
She smiled slowly. “Hello, Katie. How are you?” She hesitated, searched her memory then asked after her sister’s bloodlust, her perfect mate. “How’s Mark? The family? How’s life treating you?” She arched a brow. “How’s that? Any better?”
The waitress bought their drinks. Katie waited until they were alone before she answered. “It might be—if you sounded as if you really cared.”
Tatiana closed her eyes briefly, taking slow deep breaths. She picked up her cup and sipped her coffee. “You’re right. I don’t sound as if I mean it...but I do. Why wouldn’t I? After all, it’s my family too.” She moistened her lips. “How is...Mother?”
“Hurting. She needs you and Andrei back in her life.”
“I can’t speak for him, but I plan to make that happen. Soon. I just need a little time to...I don’t expect you to understand, but there’s so much going on in my life at the moment and I—”
Katie leaned forward, her gaze intense. “I do understand. That’s one of the reasons I asked for this meeting. I’ve seen things that frighten me.”
Tatiana tensed. “What kind of things?”
Katie shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve had dreams that leave me feeling afraid when I wake. I can’t recall why I’m afraid, but I know you’re involved...along with some male. A male you care about. I came to warn you to be careful. You can’t trust him.”
Tatiana sipped her coffee again. “Who is this man?”
“I don’t know. I just know he’s under the influence of a...rogue vampire.” She shook her head. “Not a vampire exactly...” She glanced around. “Should we be having this conversation here?”
Tatiana frowned then shook her head. “No.” She rose and headed for the exit. At the door, she caught the owner’s gaze. “Put it on my tab, please, Will.”
The man smiled and nodded.
Outside, she pointed across the street to a small park. They crossed at the corner and found an empty bench where they sat side by side. “Now tell me what, or who, is troubling you.”
“She’s a vampire, but she’s not. I know that doesn’t make much sense, but—”
Tatiana sighed and turned to face Katie. “What exactly can you tell me about this woman or this man I shouldn’t trust?”
Katie’s eyes widened. “You mean you believe me?”
She cupped a hand over Katie’s cheek. “Of course I believe you, little one. Although I do not have second sight as you do, I am not without other resources that have nothing to do with being what we are. I am not an easy one to lie to or deceive. I can sense the truthfulness of what you say.”
Katie sighed. “Thank God! I know what I see doesn’t always come true, but I always have a challenging time getting Mik to believe my visions.” She paused, a look of fear flashing up into her eyes. “I’m more afraid than I’ve ever been. I’ve seen some really dark, frightening times ahead for us.”
“When you say us, do you mean you and I?”
“No. I mean us as a family. Not just you, but Serge and Mik are in danger too...and Vladimir.” Katie clutched her hand. “My...visions are disjoined and not always clear, but I know as a family grim times are ahead for us...on more than one front.”
Katie’s fears matched Tatiana’s own feelings of foreboding. “Do you know when we should be concerned? Do you know of anything we can do to guard against the coming troubles?”
She shook her head. “No. That’s one of the things that has me frightened.” She laughed. “Not much of a full-blood, am I?”
“Full-bloods much older than you have been known to quake in fear at danger to their loved ones.” She squeezed Katie’s hand. “There is no shame in such fear. But don’t be too frightened, little one. Dark times we may face, but we will survive—just as we always have. You’ve shared your knowledge and your fears, now go home to your bloodlust and let those of us who are older relieve you of your burden.”
“What are you going to do? Will you tell the others?”
Both Aleksei and Vlad were still searching for common ground with the adult sons they had recently located. In addition, Aleksei’s bloodlust Dani had recently given birth to twin girls. Without specific details, she didn’t want to intrude on Aleksei’s bonding process. Besides, Aleksei, Dani, their newborn twins, along with Acier and his woman Raven were in Arizona. And she needed a favor from Andrei that would require him to briefly leave town.
Bearing this new burden alone would give her less time to worry about the two men in her life. Or, more correctly, the two men in her thoughts. At the moment neither was really in her life.
“Yes.” She’d tell them—in due time.
“Good. Now there’s something else I wanted to discuss with you.”
“Hopefully not more bad news?”
“Oh, no. It’s about...Andrei.”
Tatiana tensed at the mention of her twin’s name. “What about him?”
“Nothing bad...well, it is and it isn’t. I know that doesn’t make much sense.”
“No, it doesn’t. Tell me what’s on your mind and we’ll work it out between us.”
“I was just wondering if you were planning to get him and your friend together.”
She frowned. “What friend?”
“I don’t know her name, but I know she’d be good for him—if you can manage to convince him to date her. I know he thinks she’s...not pretty enough, but she has a level of passion that will blow him away.”
Tatiana tilted her head. “Have you seen them together?”
“Yes...at least I think I have.”
“And you’re telling me this why?”
Katie grinned. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but I was instrumental in getting both of my brothers—well, actually, I had some small part in getting all four of our brothers with their bloodlusts. Mikhel, Serge, Aleksei—and even Vladimir met Adam through me. Adam is my best friend. Vladimir encountered him at my apartment. Now it’s Andrei’s turn.”
Tatiana laughed.
Katie stiffened. “What? Did I get it wrong? Do you have someone else in mind for him?”
“No. I was just thinking how horrified poor Andrei will be when he learns that instead of just trying to avoid my matchmaking attempts, he’ll now have to watch out for yours as well. Considering we both want him with the same woman, he doesn’t stand a chance.”
Katie’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I always say if you want your big brothers to be happy, don’t let them pick their own mates. If left to their own devices, they’d never get it right. You should have seen the women I rescued Mikhel and Serge from.”
Tatiana rolled her eyes. “You should see the...fem...I’m trying very hard to rescue Andrei from.”
Katie’s hand tightened on her arm. “I have seen her and if she gets him... she’ll destroy him.”
Tatiana swallowed a lump of fear. “What do you know about her?”
“Nothing. Except for the horrible feeling of despair I felt when I saw them together. He mustn’t end up with her.”
“He won’t—not if I can help it.”
“Good.” She sighed. “But I’m afraid your friend is going to really have to love Andrei to hang on through what he might put her through.”
Tatiana sighed. “He’s going to hurt her?”
“As Mikhel would gladly tell you, not everything I see is clear or comes true, but much of it does. And I see her...suffering a lot on his behalf.”
“I suppose she’ll hang tough. She does want him and I know that if he gives himself a chance and gets to know her, he’ll want her too.”
Katie nodded.
Tat smiled suddenly. “So, Katie Dumont, tell me about yourself, little matchmaker.”
Katie averted her gaze for several moments. When their eyes met again, Tat saw a glimmer of tears in them. “I have always wanted a sister...an older sister. Someone I could look up to, someone...I could share things with. Someone just like you.”
Tatiana’s own eyes welled with tears. She drew Katie into a gentle embrace. “And you are the little sister for whom I’ve always longed. I think you and I will get along just fine, my little Katie.”
Katie drew back, wiping her cheeks. “I suppose this means you’ll want to share Mark.”
The right to make love to a sibling’s bloodlust was one of the many benefits of being a vampire that Tat had never expected to enjoy. But now that she had a little sister, she intended to get better acquainted with the charming, albeit somewhat shy Mark Lewis.
“Share him? No. Make love to him upon occasion?” She grinned. “Absolutely.”
Katie gave her a wary look. “I know it’s your right but do me a favor and promise not to fall in love with him.”
Like Mikhel fell in love with Derri. The unspoken words hung heavy in the air. Mikhel had fallen in love with Serge’s bloodlust Derri. Tatiana gave Katie an encouraging smile. “I think I can safely promise that. Your Mark is undoubtedly charming, but my heart and my affections are already engaged elsewhere.”
“Good. Lust I can deal with, but not love. I don’t know how Serge stands knowing Mik is in love with his woman.”
“He stands it because he knows Derri is his.” She turned to study Katie’s profile. “You’re very young now, but as you grow older, you’ll realize more fully just how powerful a force bloodlust is. Granted, love is a powerful force as well, but in a vampire’s life, love pales in comparison to bloodlust.”
“Are you sure about that? Because Mikhel really—”
“Yes, Katie, I am sure about it. He may very well love Derri, but he’s in bloodlust with Erica, in addition to loving her. Why does his relationship with Derri bother you?”
“Because I’m afraid Mikhel’s feelings for Derri will lead to trouble between him and Serge.”
“But the relationship doesn’t seem to bother Serge.”
“I know. He’s so...he doesn’t like to admit it, but he looks up to Mik so much, he can’t imagine him doing anything to hurt him.”
“But you can?”
“No!” She frowned. “Don’t misunderstand. I know Mik would never willingly do anything to hurt Serge. Still, he wants Derri so much, I’m sometimes afraid what he’ll do to get her.”
“He loves Erica.”
“I know, but he loves Derri too.”
“Maybe, but he’s not in bloodlust with her.”
“So he says, but sometimes...” She shook her head. “Sometimes I’m not sure how deep his feelings for her run or where they’ll lead him. Sometimes I wish Serge had never met that damned Derri. And the worst part is, I did what I could to help her cause with Serge.”
Tatiana arched a brow. “But she’s his bloodlust. How could you wish he’d never met his perfect mate?”
Katie grimaced. “Put like that, it makes me sound selfish, but—oh, never mind. Maybe Mik is right. I’m probably overreacting.” She shrugged and smiled. “What about you? ..Is there a bloodlust of yours I’ll get to share?”
Tatiana sighed. “Not yet.”
“Is there anyone on the horizon...anyone interesting?”
“Actually, there are two men. I...” She shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going on with either man yet. I believe you’ve warned me off one of them.”
Katie blushed. “I hope you don’t think—”
She smiled. “It’s all right. Even before your warning, I had...reservations about one of them. Hell, I have reservations about them both. Neither one of them is someone the family will embrace.”
“Do you love them?”
She sighed. “I’m not sure what I feel for either of them. But I’ll keep you informed.”
“So? Are they...well endowed?”
“I’ve had men with bigger dicks, but none sweeter.”
“That’s what counts. A big cock is useless if it doesn’t belong to a man who makes your pussy melt. I’ll take an average-sized Mark any day over a well-hung man who doesn’t turn me on.”
Tatiana nodded. “As would I.”
Katie licked her lips suggestively. “So? When can I meet them?”
“Meet them or fuck them?”
Katie grinned. “Both.”
Tatiana laughed. “We’ll see, little hussy. Now, can I buy you lunch?”
Katie nodded. “Yes.”
As they left the park, Tatiana smiled. “Have you ever considered modeling?”
“Who, me? No! Why?”
“Yes, you. Why? Because you’re absolutely gorgeous, little sister. I have yet to meet a supermodel who has anything on you.”
“Yeah? Well, maybe it runs in the family.”
“You mean Mother?” Tatiana nodded. “She is stunning.”
Katie stopped and placed a hand on her arm. “Yes, she is, but I meant you. You are the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen.”
Tatiana smiled and slipped her arm through Katie’s. “Let’s talk. I’d like to get to know you better.”