Willa curled into her Alpha’s embrace, her heart tight with emotion. She’d never been so vulnerable with anyone in all her years, allowing a man to restrain her, dominate her, bringing her to new heights of pleasure. Despite the tendrils of passion still flittering in her body, doubts about their future bloomed in her mind. As his mate, she’d be expected to move to Wyoming, to rule the pack with her Alpha. But would Teton Wolves ever accept her into the pack? Her skin glowed with hellfire, forever singed by the flames of Hades. Would she bear the Alpha’s children, or would his legacy be lost to a prophesy of her infertility?
Her mind drifted to the witch. Although Ilsbeth had perpetrated the ultimate betrayal of wolves, attempting to steal Dimitri’s ability to shift, she’d saved Willa’s life by offering herself to Viktor. Instinct told her they had to trust the witch, yet she knew her Alpha never could. With cautious optimism, no other choice but to go in search of the skin book, she resigned herself to the task.
In the morning , she told herself. In the morning, fears would become bravery. They’d do what they needed to do. She refused to give up…to Hell, to wolves, to the devil himself. Her wolf stirred in her mind, anticipating the fight. Sleep now. In the morning.
“If this doesn’t remind you of Hell, I don’t know what will.” Hunter shined a flashlight into the cavernous room.
“What is this?” Willa’s clothes dripped as they emerged from the waist-high water. Deep in the belly of the caves, they made their way onto higher, dryer ground.
“Ancient civilizations,” Viktor commented, glancing at the ceramic pots along the walls.
“These limestone caves do more than house a few trinkets.” Hunter set his palm onto the cool stone wall.
“I think it’s safe to say we’re not alone.” Viktor walked deeper into the cave.
“There aren’t many places where you can avoid ghosts, but yeah, limestone attracts all sorts of energies.” Willa concentrated in an attempt to detect any other supernatural entities but sensed nothing. “If we get lucky, the most we will have to deal with is bat guano.”
“What’s all this?” Viktor pointed to a pile of bones.
“Xibalba. The Place of Fright. The Mayan Hell.” Willa shone her light upon etched artwork that had been carved into the wall. A figure held up a heart. “Whatever this space was for…people died down here.”
“Human sacrifice.” Hunter pointed to skeletal remains, that lay perfectly on the earth as if they’d been preserved in a museum. “This one here.”
“These bones look like they belong to a woman. Look at the shape of the pelvis. It’s likely she was murdered,” Willa surmised. “They were often tortured before they were killed. But it was their way of life. To satisfy the Gods.”
“An offering. How lovely.” Viktor laughed. “And here we are. Back in the pit of Mayan Hell looking for a book to give to another Hell-bound demon. Quite fitting.”
“This woman.” Willa glanced at the skeleton, and her stomach clenched at the thought of her heart being cut from her chest. “She had no choice.”
“Humans. They never seem to learn,” Viktor added.
“I’d say that’s pretty accurate.” Hunter stepped toward a pile of vases. He lifted one and carefully set it aside.
“Humans possess an inner magick without ever even knowing or believing it.” Willa stared at the bones. “Yes, they are fragile. But like all beings, the Goddess made them for a reason.”
“I don’t mean to be a killjoy but how are we ever going to find the book down here? There are several cave systems. We don’t have all day.” Viktor blew out an annoyed breath.
“I don’t know. I mean you zapped us into here. You must have felt something.” Willa smiled.
“Oh no. Don’t go putting all this on me.” Viktor held up his palms defensively. “I just picked up on the vibe. That knife must have done something. And this is where we landed.”
“He’s right though,” Hunter agreed. “This has got to be the place. Not only do we have that knife, Willa is connected to this book. Its skin is from her ancestors. It’s tied to her. I can’t help but think it would want her to find it.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Willa’s voice rose, her eyes questioning his logic. “Maybe we need to use the blade Ilsbeth gave us. If it’s tied to the book…”
“I’ve got it, but knowing Ilsbeth we’ve got to do something with it. Some kind of a blood spell.”
“She didn’t give us a spell. She only gave us the knife. It must be something else.” Willa shivered, a cool breeze blowing over her skin.
“Something’s coming for us. I can feel it,” Hunter said.
“Come on then, Alpha. Whip it out,” Viktor said with a smirk.
“You’re sick,” Hunter replied.
“He’s not wrong though.” Willa smiled and shrugged.
“In the middle of some Mayan sacrificial death pit and you two are making bathroom jokes? Okay, yeah.”
“It’s all well and good until someone summons the God of Hell.” Viktor picked up a ceramic bead and inspected it.
Hunter shook his head and removed his backpack, retrieving the weapon, then slung the sack back onto his shoulders.
“I do love a good knife,” Viktor said.
“Okay, now what?” The Alpha inspected the blade. “Ilsbeth said it would help us get to the location, but she didn’t mention where to actually find this book. There’s got to be miles of caves here.”
“She is a tricky witch,” Viktor noted.
“Last time I was in the catacombs with Quint, they did some kind of blood magick.”
“My brother has all sorts of tricks up his sleeve, doesn’t he?”
“It was Gabriella. She’s a witch. Was a witch,” Hunter corrected. “Lost her magick. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. They did this thing. Mixed their blood. Put it on this symbol and bam. Just like that, it worked. First bone found.”
“Bone.” Viktor laughed. “I could use one of those.”
“You’re like a fucking teenager.”
Willa laughed in response and quickly recovered. “There are too many symbols carved on these walls. We’d be here all day. If Ilsbeth says that knife helped create the book, maybe it does something else. Something special.”
“I think you should hold it. It’s tied to the origin of the wolves. Like it or not someone took the skin of a royal and made this book. You’re the key, Willa.”
“I’ll try. But for the record, I’m setting the bar low because I’m no witch. Believe me, I’d cut open my own hand and spill blood to find it, but I don’t think it’s going to work.” Willa stretched out her palm, breathing deeply as Hunter placed the knife into her hand. Her fingers wrapped around its hilt; a slow foreign energy danced over her skin but quickly dissipated. “I don’t know. I thought I felt a little something, but it’s gone now.”
“I’ve seen one before,” Viktor said casually.
“Seen what?” Hunter replied.
“A skin book. It was a phase in the sixteen hundreds, you know. Miss ole Ma? Wrap her up in a book and keep her forever.”
“Ew.” Willa shook her head, gooseflesh erupting over her skin at the thought of it. “I heard humans did that but just no. I don’t care if it was in fashion. Not cool. Just sayin’.”
“I’m with Wills on this one.”
“Some had good intentions. Doctors bound them too. Perhaps a thankful send off into Heaven.”
“Or Hell,” Hunter added.
Willa nodded. “It doesn’t surprise me. Humans. As much as I care for them, they are capable of so much destruction. Evil.”
“One hundred percent,” Viktor agreed. “And we’re the monsters? Hardly. Vampires are simply hungry. Not all of us kill. We give you the best orgasm you’ll ever get. You wash my back…I’ll wash your whole body.”
“Hunter’s right. There’s something wrong with you.” Willa rolled her eyes.
“War. Genocide. Torture. Even remote civilizations engaged in cannibalism. Makes skin books look like fairy dust.” Hunter sighed and glanced to the knife. “Maybe you need to concentrate on it.”
“Flaying was a common punishment. The skin displayed for all to see.”
“Got it Vik. I think we’re good on the history lesson,” Hunter told him.
Willa rooted her feet to the rocky earth. “Whoever decided to hide the skin book here may or may not have known I’d come looking for it. Ilsbeth said researchers found it in the 1970s. Something about a curse. But maybe they weren’t researchers. Could’ve been pirates looking to steal artifacts. Happens all the time.”
“It’s possible,” Hunter agreed.
Viktor sniffed into the air. “There’s no other scent but humans since we arrived. There’s you two, of course, but your scent is fresh. Unique to me.”
“I don’t want to know,” Hunter responded.
“He means that…” Willa attempted to explain.
“Nope. I’m good. Pretty sure what he means.”
“Humans. Their scent. Their blood. It’s distinctive. The scent of wolves is…earthy. Yes, I do believe earthy is the correct word.”
“We’re not a couple of crunchy hippies.”
“Nothing wrong with earthy. The blood is so…organic.”
“Sometimes I think, ‘why did I save the vampire?’ Could have just left him in Hell. Quint would’ve got you out eventually.”
“Because you love me.” Viktor winked at Hunter and laughed.
“I think he loves you back.” Willa smiled.
“Focus, people.” Hunter plowed his fingers into his hair and sighed. “Not that I don’t enjoy a nice stalactite every now and then. But I’d like to get the fuck out of here.”
“Stalagmite,” Viktor challenged.
“Stalactite, asshole. That one right there.” He pointed to a rock formation delicately hanging from above. “C for ceiling.
“It’s spectacular.” Willa’s focus was drawn to the ceiling, searching for clues.
“Vik…” Hunter held up a hand, silencing him. “We’ve got to get this book and get out of here.”
“If you were a pirate, where would you hide your treasure?” Willa asked.
“Somewhere scary. People would be less likely to look for it,” Hunter replied.
“I’m old school,” Viktor declared.
“Would have never noticed.” Hunter laughed.
“Pirates bury their treasure.” Viktor inspected a crevice in the cave wall, careful not to trip on the pottery.
“Some do. Most don’t.” The Alpha studied the carvings on the far side of the cave.
“This ground is fairly hard. I’m not saying they couldn’t dig a hole, but it seems more likely they’d hide it somewhere else.”
“Where else would they put it?” Willa asked, frustrated.
“This place is wet.” Hunter looked upward. “Bats. Humidity. Seriously. No matter what the outside of the book is made of, its pages are paper. There’s no way it could survive in here. It would be destroyed within months if not weeks.”
“It’s magick so it’s possible the book was fine for many years. But if humans took it, they’d assume differently. They’d probably keep it up high. Out of the way of any water.” Willa slid her hand up the wall. The dampness dissipated as she glided her fingers further up the jagged stone.
“Maybe they’d put it in something airtight.” Viktor stopped in his tracks, studying the rock formations.
“All that water in the entrance? It probably floods during a good rain. It would wash it away,” Willa said.
“You’re right.” Hunter approached a massive cascading slab of limestone. The rippling rock appeared as if it were a waterfall.
“It has to be here.” Willa gripped the knife, willing it to direct her, but still she sensed no energy. Frustrated she spun around toward the back of the cavern. A single beam of sunlight streamed in through a thin crack, glistening like sparkling crystal on a far wall. Logic told her the book had to be further inside the cave, protected from the elements, but the flickering captured her attention. “What’s that you’re always saying about humans, Viktor?”
“That I’m hungry. Food.”
“No, not that. They’re not like us.” She smiled.
The vampire sighed. “They’re fragile.”
“Exactly. So, if a human did this, researchers or just someone looking to pick off an artifact, they’d know it was valuable. Maybe they’d put in some kind of acid-free preservation bag. But because they’re human…”
“They’d be extra careful in a dangerous cave,” Hunter surmised.
“They wouldn’t risk going so far into it at night. They’d work to hide it in plain sight. Somewhere where they could work in the light.” She pointed to the beam of light and walked toward it.
Hunter followed behind her. “They’d still put it up high. Higher than a human could reach. Up there.”
“Out of sight but within the light.” Willa pointed to a stalactite. “To the left of that one. There’s a pattern in the rock. It’s been smoothed over, but the stone isn’t the same as the rest of the wall. Do you see it?”
“I see but…”
“Can you get me up there?” she asked Viktor.
“Now she wants me to flash her,” he commented to Hunter.
“I’ll go,” Hunter volunteered. “You stay down here. What if something happens?”
“The ledge isn’t big enough for all three of us. It has to be me. It’s from my family.”
“Vik, if you drop her or let her fall, it’s going to be your head,” Hunter threatened.
“Just get over here, vampire.” Willa nervously pumped her fingers. You can do this, you can do this. “Do that flashy thing you do. Get me up to the ledge but don’t let go.”
“Bossy…like a queen,” Viktor noted, sidling up next to her.
“Don’t hurt her,” Hunter warned again.
“Let’s do this shit.” She nodded.
“As you wish, Your Majesty…careful with that knife now.”
“Don’t call me that.” Willa’s stomach flipped as she disappeared.
“Easy now.” Viktor held an arm around her waist as they precariously materialized onto the one-foot-wide ledge of slippery limestone.
Willa clutched her fingers around a jutting rock, her pulse racing. “I’m not sure this was such a good idea.”
“I think you should get down. We’ll find another way,” Hunter insisted.
“No. No. It’s okay, really.” Willa inhaled deeply, focusing on a smooth anomaly in the stone.
“Wolves don’t fly, Wills. This is a bad idea.”
Viktor rapped his knuckles along the rock. “This.” He knocked over the smooth section. “None of this is hollow.”
Willa pressed the hilt of the knife to the stone. She shuddered as the foreign energy sizzled through her. Viktor tightened his grip around her waist.
“Something. It’s here. I feel it.”
“There’s nothing. It’s solid,” Viktor said.
“I don’t care. Just because we can’t see it…”
“I’m sorry, but this rock is solid.”
“No…”
“She’s right,” Hunter shouted up toward them. He pointed toward the left. “The sunlight. It’s hitting the crevice just over there. It’s a sliver. I don’t know. The knife…”
Willa shuffled her feet toward it, her heart pounding as she glanced down to Hunter. Wolves don’t fly. “Right.”
“What?” Hunter asked.
“Nothing,” she murmured under her breath. “I’ve got this.” The pads of her fingers grazed over the rough edges of the crystalized rock. The energy intensified as she probed the crevice. “This has got to be it.”
“How the hell would a human get up there?” Hunter asked.
“Ladder? Airplane?” Viktor smiled down at him.
“Drone,” Willa guessed. “Yeah, that’s a stretch. I don’t know. This opening. It’s doesn’t feel like anyone made it, but I don’t think there’s anything in here.”
“Viktor. Can’t you help her?”
“Maybe this knife. Fucking Ilsbeth.” Willa stabbed it into the crevice.
“Fucking Ilsbeth is right. She gets us into this shit every single….” Hunter began.
“Wait…I hit something.” Willa tugged at the hilt. “It’s stuck.”
“Jesus, Vik. Would you help her? This is ridiculous.”
Willa yanked at the knife and it loosened. “No. Wait. I’ve got it. Just a little bit more…it’s coming.”
“At least someone is.” Viktor rolled his eyes.
“Get her down now. I don’t like this.”
Willa ignored them, her pulse racing as she slowly pulled the package toward her. The sound of the bag scraping against the rock spiked her anticipation. A beam of light shone onto the clear plastic, and she caught sight of the thick brown book, the edges of the cream-colored pages coming into view.
“It’s here! I’ve got it!” she yelled.
“See. Crisis averted.” Viktor laughed. “Here we go!”
Oh Goddess. Willa felt it before she saw it. It tickled over her forefinger, its skinny brown legs poking out of the darkness. Her chest seized in terror. She yanked the knife, tugging the book straight out of the crack, and her adrenaline surged.
“Spider!!!!” No, no. no . The insect launched off her hand onto her face. “Get it off of me! Get it off me!”
Willa screamed at the top of her lungs as it scampered over her cheek. Her heart caught in her throat, her grip inadvertently loosened around the hilt. As her heels tilted backwards, the book, with the blade still lodged inside it, slipped out of her hands toward the water.
“Help!” Willa’s stomach lurched as she sailed backwards.
“I’ve got Willa. You get the book,” Hunter called out to the vampire with his arms poised to catch her.
“Fuck me.” Giving a quick nod to Hunter, Viktor flashed away.
“I’ve got you!” Hunter yelled.
“Oh Goddess!” All the breath rushed out of her lungs as she landed safely within his arms. Her heart pumped a million miles per minute, her eyes fluttering open to meet his.
“You’re okay,” he told her, clutching her tight.
The sound of splashing across the cavern drew their attention.
“No, not the book,” she cried.
Sunlight flickered upon a fist as it punched through the dark water, holding the book. Viktor emerged, drenched. “Got it!”
“Oh, thank the Goddess.” Willa exhaled in relief.
“Jesus, Vik.”
“I know, I know. Don’t say it. I know. I’m amazing. A real God. Now can we get the fuck out of this hell hole? I’m over the bugs. And the heat. The fucking water.” He sniffed. “And I smell.”
“You got enough juice to get us back? Please tell me yes because I don’t think any of us wants to track back through all this water.” Hunter gently set Willa onto her feet.
“Yeah, sure. But you owe me. I nearly drowned getting this book. Get a good look. Superhero here.”
“I know we took the jet, but I’m thinking we should just flash back to my place,” the Alpha ignored his hyperbole. “It’ll be faster. I don’t want to waste time.”
“But Ilsbeth…” Willa’s eyes lit up, anxiety gripping her chest.
“I want to see this book first before we go back to her house.”
Doubt weaved itself into her thoughts. “She wants it, but you’re right. Something about this whole thing doesn’t feel right. She’s manipulating us. This book belongs to my family. I think she wanted me to get it because she knows I was the only one who could release it.”
“Of course, we aren’t giving it to her. Not right away anyway. She can’t be trusted. Not for one witchy minute.” Viktor violently shook his head, sending water droplets flying into the air.
“I had a spider crawl up my face! My face !” Willa visibly shuddered. “Get me out of here.”
“Let’s go.” Hunter reached for Willa’s hand and set his palm on Viktor’s shoulder.
Willa’s mind swam as she drifted, billions of atoms reconnecting all at once. Her bottom landed on the hard wood with a thud. A rush of sea air filled her lungs and she blinked toward the blinding sun. She shoved to her feet, but the floor seemingly moved beneath her and she tumbled back onto the smooth wooden planks.
“Where are we?” she managed.
“Viktor.” Rage blazed in Hunter’s voice.
“Are we….” Turquoise waves rolled into view as she steadied herself on the rocking surface.
“What are we doing on a boat?” The Alpha knelt down and extended his hand to Willa. “You okay?”
As her eyes caught his, butterflies danced in her stomach. How could I forget that I almost died after having my face eaten by a spider? My sexy Alpha. Yeah, that’s why. She smiled.
“Willa? You good?” he asked gently, a corner of his lip tugging upward.
“Yes, sorry. I’m okay.” Willa reached for his hand, grunting as Hunter pulled her onto her feet. Thankful to be alive, she wrapped her arms around him, holding tight. “Just hold me.”
“Hey, now.” Hunter kissed the top of her head, his eyes meeting Viktor’s.
Overwhelmed, she fought to regain control of her emotions. “I’m good.”
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Hunter glanced at Viktor who smiled at him.
“Welcome aboard the Bloody Mary.” The vampire held the book up in the air, the knife still protruding from its cover. “Ahoy matey. Or in your case, just mates.”
“Fuck me.” Hunter sighed as he scanned the horizon, noting there was no land in sight. “What the hell, Vik?”
“As much as I’d love to chat, I smell like pig’s ass. And you two.” He sniffed. “Dog’s ass.”
“We’ve got to get to Ilsbeth.” Willa wrenched herself out of Hunter’s arms, glaring at Viktor.
“We do. But not right now. We’re about to go fight a demon. This isn’t a backyard boil party we’re going to. You both need to rest after that little adventure.”
“I hate to admit it, but the vampire’s right. Whatever battle awaits us isn’t going to be a day in the park.”
“But…” she protested.
“We’re safe out in the open water. My boat has wards, but it’s well known that demons have a harder time materializing in water.”
“Viktor,” Hunter began.
“Not another word. Come. It’s time to get clean. We’ll talk after.”
Although Willa’s first instinct was to argue, she considered their predicament. Within hours they’d go to Ilsbeth’s, and hand a book to the demon responsible for her torture. The possibility of death or eternal damnation loomed over their heads. They had to be at the top of their game. Strategy over impulsivity; she resigned herself to accept the needed respite. Food. Sleep . Then fight like hell.
“The Bloody Mary?” Hunter brought the glass of whiskey to his lips. “Clever, Vik.”
“Makes the humans at the yacht club more comfortable. I fit right in.”
“Yeah. I doubt it.”
Willa smiled at the vampire, who had donned baby blue pajamas. “Nice pjs.”
“Versace. Never underestimate the comfort of silk.” Viktor smoothed his hand over the lapel.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“Mary’s home dock is Coconut Grove. I have a charity event in Naples next week, so we’re catching a ride in the Gulf of Mexico.”
A formal butler dressed in all white approached. Viktor tapped on the edge of his empty champagne glass.
“What are you drink…” Willa lost her words as the thick sanguine fluid flowed from the bottle.
“Ah, thank you, Brann.” No words were spoken as the server left in silence. “He’s not much of a talker. I’m afraid the medieval times were a bit difficult for him. Blasphemers.”
“Their tongues,” she whispered.
“I saved him from certain death. But there was nothing I could do to repair the damage. He enjoys the sea, though.” Viktor sipped from the glass and grimaced.
“What’s wrong?” Willa rested her hand on his forearm.
“This is bottled. I really need the fresh stuff. I used quite a bit of energy flashing. I’m afraid I might have to leave.”
“You can’t leave us on a boat staffed by vampires,” Willa blurted out without thinking. “I mean…not that there’s anything wrong with…it’s just that…it’s…”
“Dangerous. No fucking way, Vik. You flash us all the way out here and…” Hunter went silent as several servants placed dinner plates in front of them and proceeded to pile them with crab legs and grouper. “Thank you.”
“This looks amazing. Thank you, Viktor. But where…” Willa watched with curiosity as the servants retreated to the galley.
“Just because I don’t eat human food doesn’t mean I don’t keep it in stock for guests. Look around. We’re in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s plentiful.”
“All this. We could have just gone back to my house.” Hunter picked up his fork and flaked off a chunk of fish.
“We’re a team.” The vampire took another sip.
“We are, aren’t we?” Willa laughed, intrigued by their unlikely friendship.
“The grouper’s delicious,” Hunter commented. “Tell me. All the crew on this ship are vampires, yeah?”
Viktor nodded. “Of course.”
“How do vampires know how to cook like this if they don’t eat?” Willa asked with a moan. “Hmm…so good.”
“It’s delicious,” Hunter agreed.
“We need blood to survive. To be strong. But,” he held the glass up to the moonlight, “some choose to still eat. Like Quint. My chef too. I had to make the break.”
“The break?” the Alpha asked, continuing to eat.
“Yes. The break. Quintus prefers to remember his humanity, but I cannot allow myself to go there.” He stared off into the darkness, the lights of the boat flickering on the waves. “My life. I can barely remember it now. Life before Baxter. In Scandinavia. I had a wife, children. And then in one day in a battle…well, needless to say it didn’t go well. I never saw my family or my homeland again.” He looked to Willa and Hunter, giving a wistful smile. “So, you see. The day I awoke from being nearly dead to being newly turned, I broke. I broke from human ways. The pain of living was far worse than dying. Trust me on that.”
“I’m sorry, Viktor,” Willa told him, her voice soft with empathy.
“Ah, no worries. Life evolves and so did I.” He set his glass down onto the table. “Let’s discuss the skin book, shall we?”
“After our meal, we can take a look at it, but I doubt that it’s going to tell us anything. Right now, we just have to trust like hell that the witch isn’t lying about the demon wanting it.”
“I think it’s safe to assume she’s lying about something,” Viktor countered. “It’s Ilsbeth.”
“She could double cross us. She seemed sincere but…” Julian. “I have to find my brother.”
“Wherever he is, he’s trying to keep you safe. Divert the wolves. Which it seems he’s done a pretty damn good job of so far.” Hunter cracked open a crab leg and slid the delicious meat into his mouth.
“We’ll find him,” Viktor assured them. “He’s powerful. Can hold his own.”
“I know he’s trying to protect me, but I don’t like the thought of him on the run by himself. If anything happens, we can’t help.”
“We’re on the run too,” Hunter said.
Viktor stood and walked into the living room, returning with the book in one hand and the knife in another. He placed the items onto the table and sat. “While you both were cleaning up, I took a look at this diabolical thing and guess what? Surprise, surprise. It has some kind of a self-locking mechanism in place.”
“Honestly I could care less what’s inside of it. I just want to trade it,” Hunter told him. “Freedom for the book. Done.”
“But she said there were spells…” Willa said.
“I could break it, but the witch…I suspect she’ll know how to open it.” Viktor shrugged.
“Normally I’d say, yeah let’s bust into it but I can’t see what we have to gain,” Hunter said.
“I agree with Hunter. If it’s made from who she said it was, he may have had royal blood, but that doesn’t mean he was a good person.” Willa reached across the table and brushed her hand over its cover. The tanned supple skin tingled beneath her fingertips. “This book still has energy. I can feel it.”
She quickly withdrew her hand and shivered. “No. If the demons want this, there’s something bad inside. Something dark. Something that doesn’t belong here. We shouldn’t open it. None of us practices the dark arts.”
Viktor raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Speak for yourself, princess.”
“Something you want to tell us, vampire?” Hunter asked, setting down his fork.
“You don’t think I’ve lived all these years off my good looks, do you?” He tilted his head. “I dated a witch a long time ago. And no, it wasn’t Ilsbeth. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Your point is taken. This book.” He glanced at it then focused back on Willa. “It’s bad mojo. Maybe you’re right. Nothing good is going to come from opening it. I know Ilsbeth says she wants the spells, but I think we hold on to it. Let her summon the demon and we’ll get rid of it.”
“I’m with you. Ilsbeth wants the spells but I doubt she forgets her latest tour of Hell. It’s not worth it.” Hunter lifted his glass and took a drink of his whiskey.
“I don’t trust her,” Willa said.
“Something else we all agree on.” Hunter reached for her hand. “This is going to be all over soon.”
“All I know is I have exactly zero plans on going back. As far as I’m concerned, they owe me one. I was dragged there trying to do something good.” Viktor stood and lifted his glass into the air. “I do love a warm gulf breeze.”
“Nice boat, Vik.”
“Thank you. All two hundred feet of it. I enjoy being here perhaps more than anywhere else. When I’m not partying on a penthouse deck in Miami. Or New York. Love New York. Of course, there’s WeHo. Malibu. Ibiza. Ah…and Paris. Thailand. Forgot Thailand. The Mediterranean. Ah…I did love Mary.”
“Did?” Willa asked.
Viktor smiled. “A girl from Croatia. Austrian duchess. Long story but I’m afraid not enough time.”
Willa exchanged a confused look with Hunter.
“I’m going to have to flash to go get a donor. I won’t be gone long,” he promised.
“No, please.” Willa refused to be stuck in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico with a crew full of vampires.
“I’m sorry but if I don’t feed, I may not be strong enough for what we are about to do. I can’t risk not being one hundred percent when we go summoning demons from the depths of Hell. I think I just mentioned it but I’m not going back. I’ll die before that happens.”
“If any of these…” Hunter glanced up to the bridge, “vampires…well, you know. I know you’ll say you trust them, but I don’t. The only reason we’re safe is because you are here. You’re going to have to take us with you, take us back to New Orleans or…”
“Not an option. It’s not safe in New Orleans. Out in the middle of the sea makes it harder for them to find us.”
“Then drink whatever bagged blood you have on board to get you by until we get back. You can drink from a witch at Ilsbeth’s.”
“No that’s not going to work. It’ll take too much time. It’s too risky.”
“We’ll take our chances.”
“No, I won’t risk your life or mine. I…”
“Take my blood,” Willa whispered. As the words left her lips, Hunter’s anger rushed over her. Her heart pounded in her chest as her eyes met Viktor’s.
“What did you just say?” His eyes widened in disbelief.
“I…” Willa glanced to Hunter whose lips were drawn tight. “I said you should take my blood.”
“Willa…” The Alpha began but she interrupted him before he had a chance to finish.
“No, listen to me.” She squeezed Hunter’s hand, focusing on her mate. “He needs to feed. We can’t make any mistakes. Not one. Leaving us here with the vampires isn’t an option. We can’t trust that they’re all loyal. Someone or something could have gotten to one of them. A demon might detect Viktor leaving us. Seriously, we’re only safe for a few hours until all Hell literally breaks loose back in Baton Rouge or New Orleans or wherever we’re making this shit happen with a witch none of us trust. All of us have to be at the top of our game. There cannot be any weakness. He must be as strong as you and me. We are a team.”
“But Willa…you know the implications, right?” The corner of his mouth ticked upward. “It’s just not that easy at this point. You saved his life in Hell. He saved yours. You’re lucky you haven’t created a bond already.”
“Viktor senses me. He probably could find me anywhere. I’m certain of it. But the only bond I’ll ever truly have is with you…my mate. Maybe there’s a way…” Willa plowed her fingers through her unruly mane. Her thoughts spun with possibilities. “He could bite you too. Spread it out. We won’t be weakened but he’ll have both royal blood and Alpha blood. You know that would make him stronger than any old human blood.”
Hunter blew out a breath and looked at Viktor. “Maybe…I don’t know about this.”
“It will work,” she insisted.
“You both understand the ramifications, yes? Because I’d never ask you to do this. You’re newly mated and Willa…you’ve already helped me.”
“You’ve helped us too. You stayed with me and Hunter for far longer than you should have.”
“That’s what friends do. We don’t leave each other when the going gets bad. And as unlikely as I would have thought it, I care about both of you.”
“We are friends and that’s exactly why we’re agreeing to it,” Hunter told him. He smiled at Willa.
“The twenty roaming vampires had something to do with it,” Viktor replied.
“True, but this is your boat. And we’re safe because of you,” Hunter said.
“The effects of my bite. You know how this works. There’s only two ways.” Viktor shook his head and looked off into the distance. “I refuse to hurt her. Or you.”
“You won’t. We know what we’re signing up for. I can’t promise my reaction or what’s going to happen but…” Willa reached for Hunter’s hand and nodded.
“Do not attempt to form a bond with her, vampire. I just fucking mated with her. This is a one-time deal. Get that straight. Whatever goes down, you’d better damn well take note.” Hunter blew out a breath and looked to Willa. “Are you sure about this? Like really sure? Whether you know it or not, you’re probably traumatized from what happened to you in Hell. This could trigger something.”
“It could but my wolf…my heart…you’re here. As long as I’m with you I know I’ll be safe.” Willa took a deep breath. Viktor won’t hurt me . “I can’t explain it. If there was any time he could have killed me, it would have been in Hell. But he saved me.”
“Ah good then. Because if I don’t eat soon, I won’t be dematerializing us anywhere.” Viktor raised his glass with a chuckle.
“Where’s our room?” Hunter grumbled.
“The Alpha doesn’t waste time, I’ll give him that.” The vampire set his drink on the table and clapped his hands together. “All right then.”
“I’m well aware of the effects from your bite,” Willa told him. “I want to be comfortable. As much as I love this warm breeze, I won’t feel safe out in the open. Our guard will be down.”
“Exactly. We both need rest too,” Hunter said.
“No time like the present. Shall we?” Viktor gestured to the galley.
Willa’s stomach fluttered as she rose from her chair and headed into the yacht. She smiled, admiring its lush interior. The vampire didn’t do anything small. Opulent white leather furniture in the living room matched a grand piano that sat next to a marble fireplace. A life-sized black and white portrait of a gorgeous nude woman stared back at her as they made their way to a staircase, and Willa couldn’t help but wonder who she was.
Her heart raced as her palm slid over the cool chrome railing descending to the guest quarters. A series of overhead crystal lights illuminated the sleek hallway. They passed several rooms before coming to an intricately designed golden door. Viktor inserted his palm into a scanner and glanced back to them with a smile.
“Biometric devices. Not sure what we ever did without them.” A lock clicked open and Viktor opened the door, ushering them inside the master bedroom. “Safe. From humans. Witches. Vampires. Other underworldly creatures we dare not speak of.”
The lock clicked as the door shut behind her, and as she took in the sight of the room, her eyes widened. Located in the bow of the boat, two arched metallic shutter walls lowered to reveal windows. The ship’s lights reflected onto the blue gulf water. The enormous bed sat against a rich mahogany wall, a large sitting room with leather sofas to the right.
“I’ll leave you to sleep in here after we’re done. It’s the one place I can absolutely ensure your safety. Don’t worry about the windows. We can see out, but no one can see in. I’ll put the shutters back up if it makes you more comfortable.”
Willa approached the window and placed her palm onto the glass, taking in the sight of lights twinkling on the water.
“I’ve instructed the Captain. No anchor tonight. I don’t want any ties to the earth. Whatever seeks us from below will not find us,” Viktor assured them. He turned and looked to the sofa. “I’ve got the sofa or the bed. I’m not sure…well, where you’d like to begin.”
Willa smiled, hearing a tremor in his voice. Was the usually overly confident vampire actually nervous?
“The bed?” Willa took a deep breath and looked to Hunter.
“You sure?”
“I just want to lie down. It’s pleasurable, right?” she asked.
“Of course. I swear on my life I won’t hurt either of you,” Viktor promised.
Willa climbed onto the mattress. Like a cat she stretched out onto the soft black satin comforter. She closed her eyes and moaned. “Nice bed, vampire.”
Hunter laughed. “I don’t ever want to hear those words again.”
She smiled. Her eyes fluttered open, excitement swirling inside her belly as he crawled onto the bed towards her on his hands and knees.
“You look pretty comfortable.”
“That’s because I am. I really, really miss my bed.”
“I’m going to get us a new bed. Our bed.”
“Hmm…in Wyoming? I suppose I’m leaving Guatemala?”
“You can hire someone. I need my own personal physician.”
“But wolves don’t get sick.”
Hunter lay on his side, draping his arm over her waist. “You’ve got me tied up in knots, woman.”
Out of her peripheral vision, she caught the flicker of candlelight, Viktor blowing out a match. “Hmm…you’re definitely hot. So hot.” She laughed, rolling toward him. “You do know what you’re doing to me?”
“Help me, doctor.” He brushed his lips to hers.
Willa’s heart raced as his mouth captured hers, passion burning between them. She ached to be in his arms, to have Hunter deep inside her once again. Vampires. Demons. Danger. Nothing mattered in that moment but her Alpha.
Hunter tore his lips from hers, leaving her panting for breath. Her hands drifted underneath his robe, exploring his muscular chest. The throbbing between her legs intensified as she stared deep into his eyes.
“You know what’s going to happen here? You don’t have to do this,” Hunter told her.
“He’s right.”
Willa heard Viktor’s voice but couldn’t see him. She turned toward the window and caught sight of him watching them from a distance.
“Unless you’ve got really long fangs, you’re not going to get much blood from over there.” Willa released a nervous laugh. She couldn’t have imagined in what lifetime she’d willingly let a vampire feed from her, but she couldn’t deny the connection with Viktor.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his tone serious. “Are you both sure? Once this is done, it cannot be undone.”
“You can’t leave us on this boat alone, Vik.” Hunter told him. “This is our choice.”
“I swear it. Nothing will happen to you.” Viktor unbuttoned his shirt.
Willa’s pulse raced at the sight of the vampire’s bared chest. Well-built and muscular, like a Nordic God, he approached, his usually coiffed blond hair casually tousled as if he’d been in the wind.
“Willa. It’s just you and me,” Hunter whispered.
“No.” Willa smiled. “We’re a team. You, me and the vampire. We started this in Hell, and we will escape this nightmare together.”
“Did I tell you how beautiful you are today?” Hunter cupped her cheek, love stirring in his gaze.
“You can tell me for the rest of my life, and I won’t ever tire of it.” Willa’s heart fluttered as he brought his lips toward hers. She meant every word. This Alpha owned her, and for the first time in her life, she accepted she’d no longer be alone.
His lips crushed upon hers, his tongue sweeping into her mouth. Her body ignited with passion, her hands gliding over the hard planes of his chest. Her fingers trailed down toward his stomach, and she shoved open his robe.
“Willa,” he whispered into her lips.
“Goddess, I love this.” I love you. Her pussy ached with arousal. She wrapped her hand around his thick cock and glided her thumb over his wet slit.
“Ah fuck,” Hunter hissed, thrusting into her fist.
Willa reluctantly broke their kiss, her chest heaving with emotion. Viktor. She sensed him before he ever touched her hand.
“My dearest pet, you’re exquisite.” He smiled. “Don’t let me interrupt.”
“Hmm…it’s okay.” Willa rolled onto her back to face him. “You’ve taken care of us here. We’re clean. Warm. Fed. And now,” she glanced to Hunter then back to the vampire, “we feed you.”
Viktor lifted her wrist and brought it within inches of his lips. Gooseflesh broke over her as he spoke, his warm breath teasing her skin. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she whispered, transfixed on his ice blue eyes that swirled with lust.
“Absolutely sure?”
She nodded but startled as his fangs dropped. A kiss on her neck from her mate calmed her beast. “Yes.”
As he teased his tongue over her wrist, her nipples tightened with desire. So lethal yet so gentle. Sensual.
“Alpha?” He sought his permission.
“Look, Vik. I appreciate you being all PC but I’m kind of…ah…” Hunter lost his words as Willa palmed his dick in her hand. “We’re ready.”
“Very ready.” Willa laughed softly.
Viktor smiled and nodded at Willa. “Such a brave princess.”
Captivated by his fangs, she stilled in anticipation. His tongue darted over her wrist, and her entire body went on alert. “I promise this will be the best bite you’ve ever had.”
Like a cobra, he struck, his teeth slicing into her skin. Her body seized in pleasure. She sucked a breath as Hunter’s fingers grazed down her stomach, his fingers playing over her clitoris.
“Oh Goddess.” She released a euphoric breath, her robe falling open to reveal her bared body. “More…”
“Easy,” Hunter told her, fingering her wet pussy.
Viktor’s energy sizzled through her. He withdrew her lifeblood, imbuing her with his own force, strong and sexual.
Hunter’s mouth crushed down upon hers, and she kissed him with a mad fervor, unable to get enough of him. She raked her fingernails down his shoulder as he moved his lips to her breast.
“Fuck me. Fuck me now,” she demanded. What the ever-loving hell is happening? As Viktor sealed her wounds shut with his tongue, she cupped his cheek. “No, no, no. Don’t stop.”
“Willa,” Hunter breathed.
“I…I…” She lost her words as Viktor gently released her arm. The connection lost, a sense of emptiness touched her mind.
“Viktor.” The Alpha lifted his gaze, pinning him with a hard stare.
“I didn’t hurt her. I…don’t need to bite you if you don’t…”
“Get over here.” Hunter rolled onto his back and stretched out his arm.
Willa shifted onto her mate, trailing kisses over Hunter’s chest. She nipped at his skin, the taste of him wakening her wolf. With her eyes trained on Viktor, she watched with fascination as he rounded the bed and sat on the mattress, taking the Alpha’s arm into his hands.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as the vampire’s fangs sliced into Hunter’s wrist. She broke eye contact with Viktor, her gaze flashing to her mate. Her lips brushed over his hip as her hand tightened around his cock.
“Ah…fuck,” Hunter moaned, throwing his head backwards. As the vampire sucked harder, he arched his back. “Goddess…yes.”
Willa gave a slight smile as her lips hovered over the broad head of his dick.
“Please…Willa.” He bit his lip and lifted his head so he could see her. “Suck my cock.”
“I got ya baby,” she purred, her tongue darting over the slit. The salty taste of his essence registered, and she moaned in response.
“Shit. This is not right. But fuck, Viktor. Why does that have to feel so…oh Goddess,” Hunter groaned as Willa plunged his cock into her warm mouth without warning.
The taste of her mate urged her wolf to surface. She howled in exaltation, celebrating her power, her mate.
He pressed his hips upward driving his shaft deep into her mouth. She caught Viktor’s hazy state of arousal as he lapped over Hunter’s wounds.
Her excitement spiked as her Alpha took control, clamping his hand around Viktor’s wrist. “You’re not leaving. You started this and you’re going to finish it.”
“Stay, Viktor,” Willa whispered, her lips brushing the broad crown.
She smiled as the vampire relaxed back onto the bed. Willa had never considered herself an exhibitionist but the desire in Viktor’s eyes amped her arousal. As if having an astral power over both the Alpha and the vampire, she held their complete attention as she swallowed Hunter’s cock down her throat. The masculine scent of her mate urged her wolf to rise.
Hunter shoved up onto his elbows, watching his gorgeous princess suck his dick. He groaned as she wrapped her hand around the base, pumping her mouth up and down his shaft.
Willa released him with a loud pop and lapped her tongue over his head. With her free hand, she cupped his ass, her fingers trailing down toward his back hole.
“What are you…” He lost his words as she explored.
“You’re not the only one who likes to play, Alpha.” Willa smiled, plunging his cock between her lips, her finger circling his puckered skin.
“Fuck…” Hunter threw his head back as she probed him, her finger sliding deep in his ass and teasing his pleasure point. “Jesus, you’re going to make me come.”
Hearing his pleading delighted her, driving a rush of heat between her legs. Willa tilted her hips, seeking relief on the bed but couldn’t get friction. She glanced to Viktor, who adjusted his visible erection but made no effort to remove his pants.
Viktor , she heard the Alpha’s voice in her head. With the vampire’s energy still flowing through her, she’d considered the possibility.
“Willa’s beautiful, huh, Vik?” Hunter managed.
“Gorgeous,” Viktor agreed.
“I’m allowing this once. Understand. And only I make love to my mate.”
Willa slowly released his cock, still stroking it in her hand while circling his anus with the pad of her finger.
“Come here, Willa,” Hunter ordered, his tone sensual and firm.
Like a tiger she stalked her prey, shedding her robe. She straddled Hunter, her pussy sliding over the length of his hardness. As she stared down at him, her heart tightened in emotion. She’d only met this incredible man days ago, but it felt as if she’d known him her entire life. So perfect, both dominant and loving, she’d follow him anywhere.
“Closer,” he instructed.
Hunter reached for her, cupping her face. Her lips brushed his, the searing kiss evidence as to whom she belonged. As they broke contact, she sucked in a deep breath, her entire body willing to submit to his desires.
“You want this?” He stroked his cock through her wet folds.
“Oh Goddess,” she breathed.
“Up on your knees, Princess.”
Willa’s skin tingled with desire at his demand. She complied, her heart racing as she did so. Hunter slid out from under her, coming to her side. Her head lolled forward as his palm caressed her back, finally reaching her bottom.
“Open your legs. Let us see you.”
Willa did as she was told, careful to keep her balance on the mattress. With a heated gaze, the vampire watched intently as the Alpha commanded his mate, revealing her bared flesh.
“This woman is everything to me,” Hunter told him.
Willa sighed as his fingers trailed down her bottom, teasing her core.
“Touch your breasts,” the Alpha ordered.
Willa’s nipples ached as she complied, bringing her hands to her chest. The throbbing between her legs intensified and she moaned. With nothing to sate her but the cool air that brushed over her wet clit, her body ached with arousal.
“Now, Viktor.”
“Ah…” she cried as her mate slid his finger inside her.
“I want to see her come. You like to eat my mate? Lick her pussy,” Hunter ordered.
Viktor stood and made quick work of removing his pants. His cock sprung forward and Willa sucked a breath as Hunter fucked her with his fingers.
“Please,” she heard herself beg, her body on fire.
“But of course, Princess.” Viktor settled in front of her.
“Ah Goddess,” she breathed as the vampire’s mouth found her mound, his thumb gliding over her clit. “Please…I need you inside me.”
“Soon…but first.” Hunter continued to fuck her with his hand as he came up behind her. His lips found her shoulder, peppering her with kisses as he watched Viktor delve his head between her legs, his tongue darting over her sensitive bead.
Surrounded by the Alpha and the vampire, Willa submitted to the unrelenting pleasure. Lost within the sensation, she accepted their love.
As Hunter bit down onto her shoulder, he added another finger inside her tight channel. “Please, please, please…” she begged.
As Viktor’s tongue slid through her wet folds, Willa’s body heaved forward.
“Easy, there. Let him taste you.”
“I….” Willa panted for breath as she edged toward her orgasm.
“I’m going to fuck you so hard after but now…this.”
Viktor sucked her clit between his lips, relentlessly lapping at the sensitive nub.
As Hunter kissed the back of her neck, her entire body hurled into release. “Oh Goddess, oh Goddess, oh Goddess…” Willa shuddered as Viktor lapped at her pussy, giving no quarter as she attempted to recover from her orgasm.
“That’s a girl. That’s it. So beautiful.” He guided her cheek toward him so that he could capture her lips. “I have to be inside you now. Viktor, lay down. Easy…”
The Alpha guided Willa over Viktor as the vampire adjusted himself onto his back. Willa remained on her knees, supporting herself with her hands. She panted for breath, her hair spilling onto Viktor’s thighs. Hunter’s fingers were soon replaced by the broad head of his dick probing her core.
Willa reached for Viktor’s dick, settling onto her forearms with her bottom presented for her mate. She smiled up at the vampire and stroked his cock, gliding her thumb over its crown. His eyes lit with delight, enjoying her slow tease.
“Isn’t my mate delightful?” Hunter asked, tapping his cock on her ass before gliding it through her slick folds.
“Hmm…” She moaned, lapping the tip of her tongue over Viktor’s shaft. “Please…fuck me…”
As Hunter slammed inside her, stretching her open, Willa parted her lips, sliding Viktor’s cock into her mouth. Her body ignited in desire, her Alpha dominating her body, thrusting in and out of her tight channel.
The sting of his palm on her bottom sent a shiver through her. The vampire threw his head back with a groan, as she gently teased his sensitive skin with her teeth and lapped over his shaft with her tongue.
The sound of flesh slapping flesh echoed as Hunter pounded into her from behind, the scent of sex lingering in the air. Tightening her grip on his shaft, she sucked Viktor hard, her head bobbing in rhythm as her Alpha fucked her.
Hunter wrapped his arm around her waist, his fingers delving into her wetness. Willa sucked a breath as his thumb strummed her clit. A thousand synapses fired, her core contracting around his cock.
The supernatural connection intensified. Like a trifecta of power, the Alpha, royal princess and ancient vampire became one, their energies intertwining, electrifying the air with passion.
“Fuck yes. Willa. I’m coming.” Hunter gently pinched her clit, thrusting hard and long into her pussy.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she repeated, gasping for breath. Willa came undone, a wave of ecstasy crashing over her. Her core tightened around Hunter’s cock as she pressed back onto him, every hard inch of him stroking inside her.
“Holy…oh yeah.” Viktor tilted his hips as Willa fisted the root of his cock with her hand and swallowed his shaft down her throat. He grunted, spilling his seed as she sucked him hard, milking every last shiver of his climax.
“Fuck yes, Willa,” Hunter grunted, giving a final thrust. He wrapped both his arms around her waist and rolled them onto their sides.
Willa’s body melted into his, tendrils of her orgasm still threading through every cell of her body, her skin tingling. His warmth surrounded her, and she succumbed to the dreamy afterglow. Emotion for the Alpha churned in her chest. Too much to process, she simply accepted the love of the incredible man that had ignited her soul. Her Alpha.