Dragon Storm (31 page)

It was off to his right.

Dante opened his eyes and looked around, only to meet the gaze of the most alluring woman he’d ever seen in all his long centuries. Lustrous, mink brown hair framed her face and swayed gently with her movements. Snapping hazel eyes fringed with thick, dark lashes batted at him with come-hither motions.

She was sitting on a bar stool, surrounded by mortals, but she shone as if she were the only being in the room. She was not human.

Dante sniffed again.

Were.

And she was looking directly at him, meeting his eyes boldly while she raised a glass of red wine to her lips. He followed the curving line of her luscious throat as it flexed in a swallow, and he went hard. Just like that.

This woman was potent.

And she held knowledge in her eyes.

Silently, she stood and stalked toward him. She moved like a predator, sinuous and sensuous as she held his attention and his gaze, mesmerizing him. He got the feeling he was definitely
her
prey this evening and not the other way around. It was a novel experience for him. Never had a woman enthralled him so quickly or so completely.

And they hadn’t even touched.

That would soon be remedied.

“She’s a fine looking woman, but beware my friend,” Duncan said in a low voice, “she is not what she seems.”

Dante nodded, his gaze glued on the woman as she approached. “I know what she is.”

“But do you know why? Why would such a creature seek you out?”

Dante shrugged. “Probably for no good reason, though I find it hard to resist the puzzle she presents.”

“Just be certain this puzzle doesn’t get you staked out in the desert at dawn.” Duncan laughed as he moved off, two women already in his sights. “I’ll be near if you need backup.”

She didn’t realize he would be so handsome. Of course bloodletters were said to have a Glamour all their own. She didn’t think she was close enough to feel his magical influence, but she didn’t have any personal experience with his kind. Their powers were said to grow with the centuries, and Dante was an old one.

There was something about the tall man at his side too. Something that gave Megan the heebie geebies. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what the deal was with him. He wasn’t a bloodsucker. His scent was different but very, very magical. Not human entirely, yet not anything else she recognized. She would have to tread carefully—very carefully—until she knew exactly what she was dealing with.

Still, the ball was in play now. She’d have to see it through and play the game she’d planned. Just this one last task, and she’d finally be free of the meddlesome
Altor Custodis
. She would do just about anything to clear her family debt of honor, but she had to be careful. This Dante fellow was more than likely the deadliest being she’d ever meet.

Squaring her shoulders, she walked up to him and shifted her weight to one foot, letting the opposite hip jut out toward him provocatively. Dante was certainly a tall drink of water, almost a foot taller than her own five foot four. Of course, she was petite for a wolf shifter. She was only half
were
by blood.

She didn’t speak, just looked him over and let him look in return. She saw the flare of interest in his eyes before he banked it to something less obvious. She was close enough to scent his magic though well protected—she hoped—against his vampire mojo by her shifter nature. Still, he certainly did have an effect and she had to admit—mojo or not, this man was potent with a capital P.

“Do you like playing with fire, little one?”

His voice wafted over her like dark silk, caressing her pelt in the most sensuous way. She had to suppress a shiver of pleasure at the tone and timbre.

She struggled for nonchalance. “I know what you are.”

“And still you came to me? You’re a brave little shifter. Does your pack know what you’re up to?”

“I have no pack. I’m a loner.” Her chin rose defiantly.

“Ah, a lone wolf out on the prowl.” He made the words mocking. She squared her shoulders and stood her ground. “You are a foolhardy youngster, out to test her limits.”

“No doubt I’m younger than you but by no means a child.” She thrust out her chest and was glad to see his gaze snagged by the motion. “I’m curious, I’ll admit. I’ve heard your kind has certain abilities for pleasure.”

He leaned back, studying her from under hooded eyes. He was a seducer of the senses in every word, every motion. It would be hard not to fall under his spell—magical or not. Everything female in her wanted to be with this male, regardless of his species or his power.

He watched her, seeming to come to some kind of decision. “My name is Dante.”

She laughed. “Playing with fire indeed. I get the literary reference,
Dante
.” She grinned at him. “My name is Megan.”

“Well then, Megan, can I buy you a drink?” He ushered her toward the bar where two chairs opened up for them as if by magic.

She knew darn well he’d used his influence over mortals to make the others move. It was a casual show of power that scared her. Without the protection of her shifter blood, would she be as powerless against him as other mortals? And how could she be certain she was protected? Would she even know if she was being influenced by his vampiric powers?

It was a worrisome thought. This man was more than she’d been led to believe. She could tell from the few minutes she’d been in his presence. And his friend was troublesome too. What
was
he? Megan feared she’d suddenly been thrust into the deep end of the pool with no warning, and she’d have to learn to swim. Fast.

“So what brings you here tonight?” Dante asked, turning back to her after ordering wine for them.

“Just on the prowl.”

“Ah.” He nodded knowingly. “Something your kind enjoys, from what I hear.”

“How do you know what we enjoy?” She tried her best not to sound suspicious but feared some of her wariness showed through.

He leaned back as the bartender returned with their wine. “Contrary to popular thought, I actually do have some friends among the
were
tribes.” He kept his voice low so that only she could hear him. Her hearing was better than any mortal’s and he definitely knew the scope of her abilities in that area at least, proving his shocking words might hold some truth.

“It thought your kind didn’t like
weres
.”

He sipped his wine before answering. “It’s not that we don’t like you. It’s more that we don’t like how resistant you are to our power. Bad blood in the past has made all the various supernaturals distrust each other over the centuries. Yet I have a feeling that will soon come to an end.”

She was shocked. “Why?”

He shrugged. “You’re a loner so you probably haven’t heard. There are certain bad elements returning after many generations. I was around the last time we fought them, and we all worked together. Seems to me we might have to do so again.”

“What are you talking about?”

He shook his head in the negative. “Not here. No matter how good your hearing, there may be others listening as well. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you in private.”

“I want to know.” This was her chance. Even if he was leading her into some kind of weird vamp trap, she needed to get close to him. That was her mission and she wouldn’t shrink from it. She was also curious about his hinted knowledge. She really was a lone wolf. She hadn’t had interaction with her own kind in a long time. If there was something going on in the supernatural world, she didn’t trust her contacts in the
Altor Custodis
to tell her. They were too damned secretive and their policy of non-interference went way too far in her opinion. She’d like to know what Dante thought he knew.

“All right then. Later.” He drained his glass of wine and set it on the bar. “For now, will you dance with me?”

Not even the Goddess can save him…but maybe love can.

Twilight Guardian

© 2009 R. G. Alexander

A
Children of the Goddess
Story

A Sariel guard, Kit has spent centuries fulfilling his people’s oath to protect the Trueblood Clan. Not Vampire, not Were, and certainly not human, Kit is something altogether…different. And when he is called back home to honor his obligations one last time, he can do none other than obey.

Jesse experiences life behind the lens of a camera. The only time she truly lives is in her dreams. For years she’s imagined a world filled with werewolves, vampires, magic. And him. When she realizes that not only is her dream world real, but the giant of her fantasies is in danger, she’ll have to jump in with both feet, and trust her heart. In Kit’s arms, she learns love is as infinite as time.

But so is a bitter god’s thirst for vengeance.

After a thousand years of duty, Jesse’s love is a gift from the Goddess. But for Kit, it might have come too late…

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Twilight Guardian:

“Do you trust me, angel?”

There was no hesitation. “Yes.”

“That’s good. That’s good because I’m not sure
I
trust me, not when it comes to you. I have to remind myself that you’re human, fragile. Have to resist my instincts to take you as hard and deep as I’m dying to. To do all that I want to do to you. With you.”

Her clit was throbbing at his words. “Don’t. Don’t hold back, please. I trust you. I can take anything you can dish out. I
want
it.”

Kit’s lips tilted in that sexy almost-smile that drove her crazy. “I was hoping you’d say that. Max? I think my Jesse just invited you inside.”

Max? Jesse felt her jaw drop, covering her breasts with her hands as she squinted across the room. He was there, standing so still she couldn’t tell if he was breathing. “Kit?”

Kit knelt in the pool at her feet, but she still had to tilt her head to meet his gaze. “I trust Max with my life. More importantly, I trust him with yours.” His features tightened with lust and something else. Concern.

“I’ve asked him to watch over you when I can’t. It is not a simple request, given our code, his position with the guard.”

Jesse bit her lip. “I’m confused. Is he going to…are we all…?”

“No,
sarasvatti.
You are mine. I’m not sure I could share you with anyone. Max knows that. It is an old tradition of my people. When a warrior goes into a battle he may not survive, he chooses a proxy, a guardian whom he trusts to protect what he cherishes the most. I want Max to watch you take your pleasure. I want him to see how beautiful you are, how special. He needs to understand how important you are to me, so that he will protect you when I no longer can.”

She could hear the sincerity in his voice. The intensity. She flicked a nervous glance toward Kit’s cousin. He was staring at his feet, unmoving. Waiting for her to decide.

It struck her how many times she’d been in Max’s position. Watching from a distance as other people reveled in their passions. She was embarrassed to admit how often she’d been aroused as she snapped her illicit photographs, how exciting it was to be the observer.

How much more exciting would it be to be knowingly observed?

Jesse blushed, her thighs tingling at the thought. Max inhaled sharply, his head jerking up as he finally looked her way. He knew. She kept forgetting about their heightened senses.

“I told you she was unique, didn’t I, Maximus? So innocent and yet so openly sensual.” He ran the backs of his knuckles along the tops of her breasts lightly. “As irresistible as Eve herself.”

He lifted her trembling hands from her breasts, kissing each palm in turn. “Let him see you, angel. See the perfection I thought I’d only dreamt of all these years.”

A sound emerged from Max’s chest that drew Jesse’s gaze. Kit’s fingers were caressing her, her arms, her breasts, her legs. And Max was watching every move in silence, his desire plain for her to see.

Something came over her. Jesse knew she should be covering herself, demanding that Kit return her clothes or make Max leave. But she didn’t. She lifted her chin and arched her back, wantonly displaying her breasts for both men to see.

“You are such a bad girl,
sarasvatti
.” Kit’s words were soft and harsh against the base of her neck before he scraped her sensitive skin with his fangs. He rolled one of her nipples between his forefinger and thumb, causing her to gasp and shift on the damp rock beneath her.

He raised his voice, including Max in their conversation once more. “Her body responds so beautifully to my touch. Show him, angel. Show him how wet you are already. For me.”

His hand slid from her breast to her thigh, pressing gently, letting her know what he wanted her to do. Jesse spread her legs, unable to stop the whimper of desire that escaped her lips.

Kit slipped two of his fingers inside her aching sex, soaking them with her juices. He pulled them out, ignoring her protesting moan, to suck them into his mouth, his eyes closing at the taste. “So delicious. I’ve never tasted anything so sweet. I need more.”

He buried his face between her thighs with a feral growl. Jesse leaned against the rocks, holding on to his head as the water pulsed against her. He was fucking her with his tongue, his fingers spreading her thighs wide and high, holding her open for him.

Max is watching. Oh God, Max is watching.
It was repeating over and over in her brain like a mantra. Her body was on fire for Kit, loving what he was doing, craving it. But the knowledge that he was doing it for an audience sharpened every sensation, heightening her pleasure.

She tried to focus on Max, and realized he’d moved closer. And his shirt had disappeared. He was thicker, beefier than Kit, but his chest bore the same large scar as his cousin’s. And his eyes held the same dark intensity.

He didn’t leer or wink disrespectfully, nor did he smile in a harmless, reassuring way. His expression was one of…wonder. He was looking at her body as though he’d never seen anything more beautiful. No one but Kit had ever looked at her like that. She was too tall, too broad shouldered, and usually far too big for the average human male.