A Taste of Twilight (14 page)

“Faelon has accepted that Natalie is beyond redemption, but he would rather not take her life. If there is any other way, please spare him that horror. She is still his daughter.”

Jessie nodded and closed her eyes.

* * * * *

“I’m not telepathic.” Antonelli held perfectly still as Natalie pressed her blade into the delicate skin of her throat. “No one can hear us down here. Why won’t you believe me?”

“I do believe you, but my father is incredibly attuned to what happens to you.” Natalie clutched the handle of the knife until her fingers ached. “He always has been.” So what had him so distracted? He should have sensed the danger as soon as she summoned his precious Antonelli.

The entrance to the smugglers’ tunnel had been bricked up, but once inside, the dank passage led right to the old wine cellar. Natalie had spent half her childhood exploring these musty tunnels. Faelon had blood allies protecting the mansion, but the cellar door had been sealed by Faelon himself after he returned to the estate three hundred years before.

A mistake that would cost him his life.

Natalie’s biological connection to Faelon allowed her to manipulate his energy. She weakened the seal enough to enter the wine cellar without alerting the guards. This was a good plan. She wasn’t going to be flustered by a minor delay.

Lowering the knife, Natalie shoved Antonelli into Etoro’s arms. “Bend her over that half rack and rape her. Don’t stop raping her until they run to her rescue.”

The color drained from Etoro’s face. “I—can’t.”

“She’s a whore! Not only does she fuck everything that gets her wet, she teaches others to enjoy her depravity. She’s a twisted slut and—”

“I can’t force myself on a woman. I’ve tried. My dick goes limp as soon as I smell their fear.”

Natalie shook her head. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” She could compel them into a sexual frenzy, but that wouldn’t alert Faelon. His human whore lived in a state of perpetual lubrication. “You’re useless.” She sneered at Etoro. Without the element of surprise on their side, the close quarters of the wine cellar became a liability. This had to be fast and focused. She’d commanded the guards to sleep, but they wouldn’t remain incapacitated indefinitely. “Grab her by the hair. If she gets away from you, I’ll make you pay in ways you can’t imagine.”

“Don’t threaten me. I’m not your lackey.”

He was less than that, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. Adjusting her hold on her long, lethal knife, she headed up the stairs. Guns were useless when it came to vampires. Swords worked well, but they were cumbersome.

“Why are you doing this?” Antonelli’s shrill voice was really starting to grate.

No sooner had they stepped out into the corridor than her father appeared in front of them, Rafe and Jessie two steps behind. Daddy had sensed her arrival after all.

With a cop’s shrewd assessment, Jessie studied the enemy. Hate burned in Natalie’s eyes, belying her delicate appearance. The long, sharp-looking knife in her fist only added to the contrast. A tall, dark-haired man clutched Antonelli by the hair. This must be Etoro. The cramped confines of the hallway made hand-to-hand techniques difficult. They needed to lure them into the foyer.

“Isn’t this touching?” Natalie drawled. “Come to watch us gut your whore? You might have kept her alive long past her prime, but she’s still
human
.”

“Your argument is with me.” Faelon’s fists clenched and his nostrils flared. “There is no reason to hurt Antonelli.”

“Really.” Natalie reached over and casually sliced the upper curve of Antonelli’s breast. Antonelli shrieked, writhing in Etoro’s arms. “This bitch has been enjoying my inheritance for the past three hundred years. Mother wasn’t strong enough to destroy you, but I assure you I am.”

Faelon turned his glowing gaze on Etoro. “
Turn her loose. This is not your fight.
”

Etoro’s fingers relaxed as he shook his head, battling the compulsion. Antonelli jerked out of his grasp and ran behind Faelon.

“You fool!” Natalie yelled. “Your mind is so weak you cannot—”

Etoro backhanded her onto the floor, knocking the knife out of her hand. “I’ve heard enough of your insults.”

Rafe charged Natalie as she scrambled for the knife. Faelon and Jessie both lunged for Etoro. His back slammed into the wall, denting the plaster and knocking down pictures. Jessie heard Natalie scream, but she kept her eyes fixed on her target.

“
You will sleep
,” Faelon commanded Etoro.

Etoro’s eyelids drooped, but again he resisted the compulsion.

“Take the knife and help Rafe. I can control this one.”

Faelon has accepted that Natalie is beyond redemption, but he would rather not take her life. If there is any other way, please spare him that horror. She is still his daughter.
Remembering Antonelli’s request, Jessie released her hold on Etoro and stepped back. Antonelli handed her the knife.

Rafe and Natalie’s battle had reached the foyer. Her long nails had shredded his arms and blood ran from the corner of her mouth. She jumped shoulder-high, attempting to kick him in the face. He caught her ankle and slammed her against the marble floor.

Decapitation, incineration or removal of the heart, Jessie could only accomplish one with Natalie’s knife. Rafe pinned Natalie to the floor, forcing her face to one side. He released a terrifying snarl and sank his fangs into her throat. He’d angled his body so Natalie’s chest was accessible, his expectation clear.

Jessie shuddered then thought of Bellita and all the other young lives she’d stolen. Rushing to Natalie’s other side, Jessie sank the blade hilt-deep into her chest. Natalie shrieked and bucked, twisting wildly.

“Help hold her.” Faelon knelt beside Jessie and tried to brush her hands aside.

“You hold her,” Jessie insisted. “I’ll do it.” And she did. With frightening efficiency, Jessie removed Natalie’s heart. The skill must have been part of the blood bond. Her hands moved of their own volition.

Faelon wiped his face with his sleeve, unshed tears shining in his eyes. “Thank you,” he said, and then cleared his throat, continuing in a much stronger tone. “To my knowledge no vampire has ever recovered from such a wound, but we will burn her body just in case.”

“To your knowledge is right,” Etoro mocked. “And you don’t know nearly as much as you think.”

Jessie threw the knife, embedding it in Etoro’s shoulder.
Damn, that was cool!
More blood-bond skills, no doubt.

“I have no authority to punish you,” Faelon snarled. “Your fate is for the council to decide.” Etoro was bound securely in rope Faelon must have manifested.

“Do you know what he’s talking about?” Rafe remained on his knees beside Natalie’s body. Had Etoro’s taunt given him pause or had the fight exhausted him?

“He will be interrogated by the council.” Faelon looked at Jessie. “If you decide to make the transformation real, I’ll recommend you for the position.” She smiled, but his expression remained serious. “You are ideally suited for the job.”

Four burly guards burst through the front door and Antonelli threw herself into Faelon’s arms, ending the conversation.

Rafe took Jessie by the hand and led her away from the bloody foyer. “Wait! Where’s Dalton?” Without missing a step, they crossed to Etoro, who was still seated against the wall. Emulating the tone Faelon had used, she looked into Etoro’s defiant eyes. “
Is Dalton still alive?
”

He pressed his lips together and he closed his eyes.

“
You will answer my questions or the pressure squeezing your balls will gradually increase.
” She paused for a second to watch him squirm. “Is Dalton harmed?”

“No!” He gasped and twisted his hips. “He’s a little beat up but alive. Now make it stop.”

“Where is he?”

“Red Lion Lodge. Stop, make it stop!”

She deactivated the compulsion.

Rafe whistled long and low. “Damn. You are good at that.”

“I’ll send a car for your friend.” Amusement sparkled in Faelon’s eyes. He stood with his arm around Antonelli’s waist, her head rested on his shoulder. “Do you want him to know where you are?”

“I’ll call him later. Just let him know I’m fine.”

Faelon nodded and escorted Antonelli down the hall. Natalie’s body was gone and the guards picked up Etoro, carrying him across the foyer. Jessie glanced at the bloodstain that hadn’t yet been scrubbed away.

“Can we go take a shower?”

“We don’t have to stay here,” Rafe said, his gaze filled with concern. “I’ll take you home.”

“After last night and what just happened here, I think you better sleep for a while.”

“As long as you’re willing to help me recuperate, I’m up for anything.”

She pulled him against her and smiled into his eyes. “Why, yes you are.”

Epilogue

“I suspect you’ll be spending more time here than at the band house,” Jessie whispered. She was stretched out on her back with Rafe cradled between her thighs. His hands covered her breasts and his lips explored her belly.

He raised his head, his features utterly expressionless. “Why would I do that?”

She laughed. “Because your descent ends there unless you admit that you’re addicted to me.”

They’d hardly left this bed in four days. Since returning from Italy, they’d spent every moment together, exploring each other’s bodies and minds with ravenous enthusiasm.

“You think so?”

Silken cords coiled about her wrists, pulling her arms up and out. “That’s not fair. My powers are all but gone.”

He slipped his hands beneath her bottom and rocked back onto his knees. “You have all the power you need. I look into your eyes and I can think of nothing but your happiness. I touch your warm, soft skin and I have to taste you. I taste you and I have to have more, always more.”

She tugged against the cords as he draped her legs over his shoulders. He loved binding her and she loved being bound. Despite her pleas and hoarse demands, he took his time when she was helpless, setting a slow, titillating pace that drove her out of her mind.

Working his way down along her inner thighs, he alternated between kisses, licks and bites until she arched and groaned with each combination. The abilities afforded her by the three-way blood bond might have faded, but their alliance was still active. She felt his rising desire, his excitement in her response.

Intoxicating indeed. As if his skilled touch wasn’t potent enough, knowing how well she pleased him sent her senses reeling.

“I’ll never tire of your silky skin.” He parted her folds with his thumbs and pushed his tongue into her pussy. Circling his tongue inside her, he touched and tasted, caressing her. “Your taste is exquisite.” He chuckled. “I guess I am addicted to you.”

He let her come almost immediately, which told her in no uncertain terms how much he wanted her. With her legs still hooked over his shoulders, he gazed into her eyes. “Am I lost in this addiction alone?”

“No,” she whispered. “I need you every bit as much as you need me.”

He smiled, that lazy, wicked smile that melted her bones and made her heart pound. Lifting her hips off the bed, he drove his cock into her snug passage. They sighed together, savoring the penetration, then he moved with strong, even strokes.

“Let my legs down.” She panted. “I want to move.”

“And I want this to last more than a nanosecond.”

Steadying her hips, he rocked in and out, in and out. She opened her mind, feeling his pleasure as well as her own. They completed each other, giving and taking with equal fervor. She arched her back and he suckled her breasts. She tightened her inner muscles and he thrust faster. Words were unnecessary. They let their bodies communicate while their hearts reveled in the wonder of sharing.

He covered her mouth with his. She greeted his tongue with an affectionate curl of her own. He tasted of spiced wine and passion, her passion. She canted her hips, feeling the heated slide of his body in hers.

I’m addicted to your heat and the firm grip of your pussy as you come.

As if by command, her body exploded in orgasm, squeezing his cock in rippling waves. He thrust deep and echoed her release with his own.

After a long, breathless minute of utter bliss, he shifted her legs to his waist and released her hands with a mental command. His mouth lingered on hers, kissing and nibbling. She combed her fingers through his hair and enjoyed the fullness of his shaft inside her.

He suddenly groaned and rested his forehead against her shoulder.

“What’s the matter?” She pushed against him, but he wouldn’t lift his head.

“I have to go to work tomorrow.”

She laughed. “Poor baby.”

“And you better have a drink with Dalton.” He rolled to her side, his head propped up on his hand. “I think he’s half convinced I’m holding you hostage.”

“Wasn’t I tied up just a minute ago?”

“You enjoy being tied up and we both know it.”