Of A Darker Nature (29 page)

“Are you sure?” Corey’s eyes widened. “Can you see or feel it?”

“No, I can’t see it, but it feels like a lot static in the air. You can kind of feel this powerful energy pressing down on you,” Marcus explained with a shrug. “It kind of gives me the creeps.”

“So what do we do?” Jai Li brushed a smudge of dirt off his cheek. 

It didn’t escape his attention that Emily shot Jai Li an evil look.
His little vixen was jealous!

“We need to locate an expert. We don’t know enough about the lines. I honestly don’t know if there’s anything we can do to dispel their power or not.”

“I’ll get online,” Corey agreed. “We can’t trust anyone in the city. Starr probably has the metaphysical shop owners in her pocket.”

He nodded, impressed with Corey’s solution. The kid had come a long way in a short amount of time. “Listen, I want a couple people, preferably werewolves or some other shifters, to keep an eye on this place. Claude will tell Starr he missed me again and she’ll more than likely know I was brought here. I don’t want any unnecessary trouble for Scott, got it?”

“Got it.” Jai Li grasped Corey’s upper arm and led him toward the workroom doors. Corey moved on, but Jai Li’s shoulder smacked into Emily’s. She stopped to glare at her. “You owe him your life.”

Before she left the building completely, Jai Li called to Marcus, “We’ll keep in touch. Stay safe.”

Marcus slumped in the passenger’s seat, silent, and sullen. Tonight marked the first time he’d ever allowed anyone to drive his car.

Emily’s shifting was much smoother now that she had calmed down.

“Thank you.” Emily eased the car through traffic.

“For what?” Marcus rolled his head against the leather to look at her. He’d let the seat back a little and it had felt good to recline at first. Now it felt a bit alien to be so relaxed.

“For what you did back there. They would have killed me.” She braked, exiting the interstate.

Marcus didn’t answer for several moments. He honestly regretted how things turned out. “I promised to protect you. And I'm sorry about your friend switching sides and trying to hurt you.”

Emily was silent, staring out at the road instead. He sat up and glanced at the puckered fang marks he’d left her with. They no longer bled, but were ragged and bruised. Remorse swept over him. She’d had to endure the pain of his teeth tearing into her flesh. “I never wanted to bite you. What I mean is, I do want to bite you, but not like that.”

He groaned at her silence. The words were not coming out like he wanted them to. If he could just make her understand…

“It’s okay.” Her voice was quiet and he wasn’t sure what it meant. “You were dying and not in your right mind.”

His chest tightened and he didn’t understand the emotions that threatened to drown him. He’d never felt this way about anyone before. Jai Li was right. He probably should have returned to the mansion where he’d have an endless supply of fresh human blood. But that meant leaving Emily. She had become more than a menial task given to him. Damn. The realization was like a gut punch.

They’d left the bright city lights and were headed down the old county road. Emily continued her train of thought. “I guess it makes sense Brenda would switch sides. She hates nosferatu.”

Marcus chuckled, already feeling a bit better. “Why do you call us that?”

Emily parked behind the Bug and put the car into neutral before killing the engine. “Nosferatu? I don’t know. Brenda came up with it and it just kind of stuck.”

He used every sense he could call upon to survey the darkness. It didn’t look or smell like anyone had been snooping around the house. Perhaps Claude’s news had not reached Starr yet.

“Do you find it derogatory?” Emily stared at him, one eyebrow raised.

It took him a second to refocus on their conversation. “Sure I’m tall and a little skinny, but I’ve got a full head of hair. Besides, my ears aren’t pointy like his. So I ask you, Freckles, do I look like Count Orlok to you?”

Emily’s expression grew serious and her gaze locked with his. She ran a finger over the ridge of his left ear. “No, you definitely do not. Actually, you’re nothing like I expected.”

She wasn’t what he expected either. Though he still felt like she was hiding something from him, she had surprised him tonight. Emily had come through for him. She could have left him to die, probably should have, but hadn’t.

Emily opened the door to the spare bedroom. Marcus lay right where she’d left him earlier that morning. He’d taken a shower and settled into bed soon after they’d returned home. He claimed that he felt better, but had looked peaked and ill. Isabella had called this afternoon to check on Emily’s progress. She hadn’t been happy with Emily’s answer of, “All I got was childhood memories and him working in your stables.”

“That is all? There was nothing more?” Isabella clearly did not believe her. 

On a shaky exhalation, Emily added, “I know how he got that tattoo and how you turned him.”

After a moment’s worth of silence, the vampire said, “I look forward to meeting your sister. Perhaps I will send someone over tonight.”

“That’s not necessary! I’ll read Marcus again this afternoon. Just keep in mind that I can’t control what I see.” She shuddered at the idea of seeing more of Marcus's haunted memories.

Now she carried a pair of his jeans, the sexy ones with the fraying front pockets, to the closet and hung them up. She washed them with her own laundry this morning, just in case he was awake.

He'd left none of his belongings lying about. Even the computer was tucked away in its case. There would be no peeking at the screen this time. She turned in a tight circle and surveyed the room. He kept it fairly neat, except for the pair of pants he’d worn the night before wadded in the corner. His boots sat at the end of the bed. They were scarred from the previous night’s scuffle and in bad need of polish. Maybe she’d be nice and do it for him, or at least leave the polish where he could find it.

She eased onto the bed, careful not to jostle him. He’d changed into a pair of dark red boxer-briefs, no shirt. She supposed it made it easier to find a bare patch of skin.

He lay on his side, facing the wall. His hair had fallen across his face. With careful fingers, she brushed silken black locks away and dropped a tentative kiss on his cool cheek. If only he was a normal, living man…

Her fingers traced across the wings on his back and the unmistakable pattern of scars. Hazy images surfaced through the murky darkness in his mind, all of them vying for her attention.

Snippets of Emily and other unfamiliar faces floated in her mind. There! A memory of Isabella broken and bloody on the floor flickered into the forefront of her mind. Was this a memory or something he desired? She was almost certain that it had everything to do with the power play Isabella feared. Emily settled in and focused on ferreting out the source of this recollection.

Isabella pulled on a lavender dress and pinned her long hair atop her head. Marcus knew she was watching him in the mirror’s reflection. He swiped a pair of jeans from the floor and stepped into them. Fresh bite marks and scratches decorated his back and shoulders.

She sat aside her brush and turned to face him. “For the record, this changes nothing. You can promise me your soul and I will still do as I wish with Evan. He is mine. He belongs to me.”

Marcus narrowed his eyes and a snarl formed on his lips. “He’s a human being, not a toy or pet. He doesn’t belong to anyone.”

“He is mine,” Isabella repeated with more force.

White-hot anger clouded Marcus’s mind. His fingers curled into fists. “You said you would never bring him over. He doesn’t want this – this imitation of life that we live.”

She shrugged. “He will change his mind.”

“No, Isabella, he won’t. And you better not change his mind for him.”

She huffed with irritation. “I wish you would refer to me as Mistress Isabella. I do deserve a certain amount of respect. I expect that much from you of all people.”

Marcus made a sour face then brushed dark hair out of his eyes. “You lost my respect a long time ago. I’ll refer to you however I wish.”

“How dare you speak to me in such a manner!” Isabella’s expression contorted into something dark and hateful. She grasped a handful of his hair and pulled him down to her level. “You belong to me too, Marcus. I made you. Never forget it.”

Marcus pushed her away in disgust. “How can I? You keep shoving my nose in it.”

He turned to go, finished with this tired discussion. Isabella launched herself at his back, fingers hooked like claws, and her lips pulled back to reveal fangs.

Marcus turned and caught her by the throat in midair. “You’re too slow, old woman. Your actions are becoming predictable.”

She brought her knee up, catching him just under the ribcage. He tossed her aside. Isabella rolled and bounced back onto her feet.

This time, he caught her wrists and wrenched her arms up over her head. “I’m done playing your games. Leave Evan alone or you’ll deal with me.”

Isabella’s laughter sounded harsh in the intimate room. After he released her, she said, “I have been dealing with you for the better part of a century. You are all growl, but no bite. I think you are afraid to be without me.”

Fire danced behind Isabella’s brown eyes. She was no longer playing around. Like a caged animal set free, she pounced on him with teeth flashing and nails tearing into his flesh.

They fought for several moments before Isabella finally loosened her grip on him. He tossed her in the direction of the vanity. His body screamed out against the wounds she’d inflicted. Isabella sprang at him again.

He pinned her against the wall to keep her from damaging him further. She threw back her head to scream for help. He silenced her by burying his fangs in her throat. She struggled against him, but he refused to let go. She rapidly lost strength and life.

Her voice shook as she whispered, “This is forbidden! You will be put to death.”

Marcus came to his senses then dropped her. She curled at his feet and glared up at him. The fire burning within her had been doused.

He stood over her, hate, and anger radiating from his very core. “You won’t kill me. You’re too weak. You’ve come to rely on me too much.”

“And you cannot kill me. I am your master.” She lay sprawled on the floor, her lavender dress torn and dirty. The wounds Marcus had given her during the scuffle stained her face and hands. The neck wound ruined the front of her once pretty bodice. Mascara ran down her cheeks, leaving a trail of despair in its wake. White-blonde hair had come undone from the clasps and spilled curls around her shoulders.

Using the back of a trembling hand, Isabella wiped at her chin. Her eyes glistened as she peered up at him. Fear as well as revulsion burned in her dark gaze. Her voice cracked on a sob. “Why have you done this? Why have you taken from me?”

A malicious grin played at the corners of his mouth. He turned darkened eyes upon her. “Because I can. Now you know your place. You are beneath me. You're the dirt beneath my boots. You disgust me.”

“You cannot overthrow me this way.” She sobbed. “This does not count. No one witnessed this.”

“But you and I know. That’s good enough, for now.”

Isabella tried to think of a way to save face. “We must not tell anyone, do you understand? There are strict rules about this.” She clutched at his leg, her expression screamed of desperation.

Blood glistened on Marcus’s chin. “Know this, Isabella. You won’t always rule over this city. You won’t always be a master. When that time comes, you’ll no longer be safe from me.”

She gasped, his words receiving the reaction he’d expected. Isabella clutched at the lacy bodice and tears continued to leak down her pale face. “I am not safe away from your shadow. And now I am no longer safe within it.”

Marcus rested his hand on the doorknob and looked over his shoulder. “If you so much as harm a hair on Evan’s head, I will find a way to kill you.”

Emily snuggled deeper into the pillow, shaken by what she had seen. The last image she viewed before waking was disturbing, to say the least. Marcus had followed Isabella while she’d been out with other enforcers. She had slipped away from them, seeming to need a moment alone. Marcus was there—waiting in the darkness—thinking of how easy it would be to put an end to her existence right at that moment.

Emily must have dozed off. Nightfall already blanketed the Earth.

How in the hell had she managed to fall asleep while reading Marcus?

The answer, she decided, wasn’t as important as getting out of the room before he woke up.

A cool hand wrapped around her wrist just as she sat up and swung her legs off the mattress. Emily managed not to shriek— knowing fear wouldn’t help matters.

His voice was low, wary. “I can only think of two reasons you’d be in bed with me, Freckles.”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay. I must have dozed off.” Had the slight tremble in her voice given her away? Her next words were truth. “And I wanted to be near you.”

He sat up and gave her arm a gentle tug, forcing her to lean against him. Her back rested against his bare chest, her head on his shoulder.

“What do you want to know so badly that you're willing to risk waking me?” His lips brushed against her temple.

A shudder rippled down the length of her spine. This had to be one of the dumbest things she’d ever done.

Marcus caressed her shoulder and neck. His fingers stopped just beneath her ear. He’d competently tilted Emily’s head to expose her throat without her even realizing what he had done. Before she had time to move—let alone think—his lips pressed against her throbbing pulse. Instead of biting, he tasted her skin just above the old fang marks with the tip of his tongue. “Have you brought me breakfast in bed?”

She sucked in a breath as she tried to reign in her growing panic. “I was worried about you.”

His lips brushed against her ear.

She broke loose and bolted toward the thin shaft of light in the hallway. The door clicked shut before she reached it.

Emily jiggled the knob and pulled, but it wouldn’t open. She felt for the light switch and flicked it on, knowing full well what she’d find in the bulb’s glow.

“So quickly you've changed your mind? Just last night you gave your blood to me.”

“I thought you were going to die.” The words caught in her throat. God, she’d felt so helpless and afraid at the idea of losing him.

Marcus’s hand rested against the door, preventing her from leaving.

Emily fought the urge to finger the necklace. “I think I should leave now.”

“I think it’s a little too late to play coy.” He stood so close, but didn’t press his body against hers. His breath shifted a stray hair over her ear. “I’ve already had you, Emily. I want more.”

At some point, he must have turned her to face him. She found herself looking into his light blue eyes. He reached out, and his expression was cautious. His hand cupped the back of her head, and he gently pulled her forward. His mouth grazed her throat.

Tension sang through her. Her breath came out in a raw gasp. The words that tumbled from her mouth were not expected. “I thought I lost you, that I’d never see you again.”

“You saved me, Emily.” His lips moved against her flesh, causing awareness to spread through her.

“I’m scared, Marcus.” Not of him, but of her own emotions. She feared it was too late to turn back now. She had already fallen.

“Stop trying to get away.” His voice sounded firm yet soothing at the same time. Hadn’t he learned by now that the power of suggestion didn’t work on her? Still, there was no bloodlust in those words, only promise. “What has you so scared, baby?”

“I’m scared of how I feel.” She squeezed her eyes shut, no longer able to look him in the eyes. “I don’t want to be hurt.”

His fingers stroked against her cheek, urging her to relax. “I just want to touch you, make you feel good.”

This entire thing was stupid. She didn’t need a one-sided romance. Marcus would use her then leave. He wasn’t hers to keep.

He thumbed away the tear resting on her cheek. “You can’t just shut down your emotions, Emily.” His voice softened. “Talk to me, tell me how to fix it.”

“Maybe what we’ve done together was a mistake. It should never have happened. Isabella won’t…” 

His hand slammed against the door, and Emily cringed. “To hell with her. She isn’t my master.”

“But she sired you.”

If he noticed her slip, he didn’t comment. His hands brushed across her back then came to rest on her hips. Her shoulders eased, and she dropped her head against his chest. Her arms twined around his neck and pulled him closer.

“You're going to leave.” And that inevitably was the problem. After this was all over, and he wasn’t forced to be here anymore, why would he stay?

Marcus allowed his arms to relax around her. Burying his nose in her hair, he breathed her scent and sighed. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Yeah, but…”

He hushed her with a soft, questioning kiss.

Emily blinked, not sure how to tell him how she felt or even if she should. She did feel something, damn it, and it scared the wits out of her. It all happened so fast. She'd gotten accustomed to having him around. She found him so interesting. He was drop dead gorgeous and sexy as hell. The very idea of Marcus leaving or not feeling the same way about her tore at her heart. Last night, when he was dying, she believed she might do the same. She never wanted to feel that way again.

“What we have doesn’t have to be about blood or possession.” His voice sounded dangerously seductive, but he’d put her in the position of control. She could still say no.

Emily looked into his eyes, searching for truth. Her grip around his waist faltered. “No blood?”

The band of blue in his eyes never wavered though his embrace tightened. His breath came and went, expression darkening with the promise of what was to come. He leaned closer until his mouth only inches from hers. “Let’s.” He dropped a kiss at the corner of her mouth. “Take this.” He kissed the other side then nibbled her bottom lip. “One step at a time.”

Marcus traced tiny circles on her back before moving to the front. His fingers tickled against her navel before dipping lower. He tugged at her waistband, hinting. “I promise not to break the skin.”

He grinned and the band of light blue in his eyes shrank slightly. “But you can bite and scratch me all you want.”

Liquid heat pooled between her legs and awareness sizzled through her. His openness and honesty sent a surge of desire through her. When he led her toward the bed, she didn’t hesitate. By the time they reached it, he’d stripped her bare.

Her body’s reaction to his touch and kisses was disquieting. She was beyond help when he gently nuzzled the hollow of her shoulder, nibbling and kissing her collarbone. He trailed down her body, past her navel. "I want to taste you, baby."

She abandoned herself and let the pleasure take over—let Marcus take her over.

His lips tickled across her thigh, and she shuddered. Lifting her head, she peered down at him. Surely he wouldn't bite her there. Marcus's gaze met hers as he ran his tongue along the crease between her leg and hip. Emily held her breath, waiting in anticipation.

Marcus didn't disappoint. The next long lick ran along the outer edge of her labia. When her legs tensed, he flicked her clit with the tip of his tongue. She gripped handfuls of the sheet and squirmed against his tongue as he began to lap at her juices.

Emily's head fell back against the pillows as Marcus ran his hands up her thighs. His thumb traced lazy patterns over her clit. The combination of his tongue and pressure on her clit drove her mad. She couldn't control her hips. They rocked against him, the pleasure she received was just too much.

Her legs tensed, and lightning bolts of pleasure ripped through her. "Oh god…"

Emily's body sang like a fine tuned instrument. Her legs clamped around his shoulders, and her hips pushed themselves toward him. She tore at the sheets and cried out as Marcus's tongue dragged across her clit. His hands gripped her hips, refusing to allow her to escape.

The most spectacular, mind blowing orgasm rocketed through her. Her legs clamped around his head and shoulders as she gripped handfuls of his hair. Her pussy pushed against his mouth and tongue as she rode the intense bliss to the very end.

Finally, when she released him, he moved back up her body. Marcus snatched her wrists and pinned them above her head. His eyes were the darkest, most intense blue she'd ever seen them.

He said, "Think you can handle more?"

Emily could barely breathe or think so she nodded. "I need you inside me."

"That's my girl." He nipped at the underside of her jaw and pressed his hard cock against her.

Emily arched her back, reaching, straining to touch him. He stretched his body across hers, rubbing the head of his cock against her hyper-sensitive clit until Emily was begging for more. She gripped his shoulders and her legs tightened around his waist. He suckled the softest skin at her throat, and a tingling sense of ecstasy encompassed her. He tasted, but true to his word, he still didn’t bite.

Emily’s teeth clamped down on his shoulder, and he growled with pleasure. An ache rose within her again. The yearning so great, only Marcus could fill the void. Together, they moved and found the perfect rhythm. Hunger crept up from within her. She felt it swell and grow inside her to the point of bursting.

“Marcus…” Emily moaned, biting down on him again.

“Harder.” He gritted his teeth, an intense expression on his face. "Bite me harder."

His need pushed her over the edge. She bit down without question. He buried his face against her shoulder and growled her name. Emily cried out and used her legs to help him strike the deepest part of her. Gratification crashed over her. Wave after wave rose, each growing stronger than the one before it. Marcus shuddered atop her, his release coming only seconds after hers.

Muscles trembling with fatigue, Emily fell back onto the pillow and took in their mingled scents. Hers was soft and floral while his smelled of raw masculinity and soap.

He rested on an elbow beside her with eyes half closed. His fingers traced across her hip and stomach.

Spying the already fading bruise on his left shoulder, she raised tentative fingers to her neck. The skin felt tender and raw beneath her touch. He had bitten her, but not punctured the skin. She cracked an eye, realizing just how dangerous – how foolish this had been.

“Holy crap, I must be some kind of stupid.”

Marcus opened his eyes. They were light blue. “I told you I can control myself.”

His gaze lingered on her throat, a fond smile curving his lips. He mimicked her movement and touched where she’d bitten his shoulder. The mark had already faded away. “You don’t know what you’re missing, Freckles. You have no idea how arousing it is to be bitten at the same time.”

Emily felt no embarrassment lying naked beside him in the aftermath of the best sex she’d ever had.
Or probably ever would have
.

“Last night, you said my blood is yours. What exactly does that mean?”

“You belong to me.” His voice was quiet and reflective. “Your blood belongs to me.”

“Is that all I am to you, a possession?” Emily drew her knees up and tucked herself under the sheets. Suddenly she felt cold and exposed.

“Is it so wrong that I want to possess you? I want you for myself, Emily, in all ways possible.” His fingers gently stroked her cheek. “I want your body, your blood, all of you.”

She was silent, considering what he’d said. What did she expect? Marcus was a one hundred and twenty-year old vampire. It would always be about blood for him.

Unwilling to allow her too much time to think, Marcus found a ticklish spot and made her jump with laughter. He chuckled along with her, kissing the tip of her nose. “Are you going to tell me what you saw when you read me?”

Emily’s mind whirled in search of a believable answer. She couldn’t look him in the eyes, afraid he’d see her for the liar she had become.

“Read you? Why would I want to read you?” Her words sounded unconvincing, even to her own ears.

“Then what were you doing in here?”

She swirled a fingertip around his hard nipple. “Seducing you, of course.”

He still looked unconvinced, but didn’t get a chance to question further because she kissed him. Her lips kissed a trail down his abdomen toward the light dusting of hair that led to more delectable places.