This Blood (17 page)

I was a human juice box!

I sank to the floor of the shower, letting the water attack me. The events of the past few days were rolling around in my brain like a scratched CD. Then as if by magic, my head began to clear, and my thoughts settled on the ring. My energy returned by noticeable degrees and the pain nagging at my brain began to ease. I wanted to attribute it to the power of the water, but I knew that assumption was wrong.

The ring was near.

I barely had a chance to process this new information before a silky voice behind me intoned, “May I join you?”

My head snapped around and I shot up on shaking legs.  His voice made my knees buckle. I steadied myself and quickly placed my arms across my body in an effort at modesty.

A person could easily be distracted by his beauty. He was gloriously naked and standing halfway in the water.  Three shower heads sprayed along his back and sides. Sheets of water caressed his long legs, wrapping around his calves to end at his beautifully arched feet.  I was careful to avoid that part of him that was most eager to see me. His chest was broad. Firm pecs, dusky nipples and a lovely trail of black hair that descended to his lower region.

Sculpted abs riveted my attention, like stone under pale velvet. Powerful arms corded with muscle rested at his sides. His hair was free, long tangles hanging level with his wrists. His strong jaw was clean shaven and his lips were full and sensuous.

I finally met his eyes. They were filled with longing.

I was aroused by the sight of him and it pissed me off. Never could I have imagined such perfection. His skin was pale, but still managed to look vibrant and healthy.

“I said, may I join you?” he repeated.

I shook myself. Lowering my arm, I glanced at the tiny bites in accusation. He inspected the new wounds, but his face revealed nothing.

“Do I have any real choice in the matter?” I hissed.  I was glad I managed to sound angry. I was afraid my voice would betray my elevated hormone level.

“It is good you finally understand your position, sweet. You belong to me now. I control you. The sooner you submit the better it will be for you as well as your friends.” He stepped closer.

“I realize I don’t have a choice, but I fully intend to get away from you Seth. It’s just a matter of time.”

He looked amused. “There you go again, deluding yourself. I must confess it is getting quite tiresome. You and I both know how much you desire me. You do not wish to leave me. I can smell your lust.”  He stepped closer, causing me to take a step back. The water that was flowing down my back was now pouring down my face. I backed up, trying to regain my vision.

“You are confident, aren’t you?” I scoffed.

“Come,” he said. His eyes settled on my newest injury. “You woke too soon.”

My jaw hit my chest and I narrowed my eyes. “I knew it! “How did you do it? I demanded.”

“I am a vampire, Grace,” he replied as if my brain had recently fallen to the ground through my ear. “I have powers inherent to my species. One is my ability to enter the dreams of those I have drunk from.”

My hand shot up to the bite on my neck; the small holes were almost healed. I knew they would scar. If he kept this biting thing up, I’d be a total mess.

“Come.” It was a command that felt like a slap.

I sucked in a fortifying breath and took a step closer. He reached out, his hand curling around my upper arm.  Then my body was suddenly pressed against his. I could feel his hard length against my stomach, making me tremble with unwelcome desire.

He used his body to push me backwards until I was firmly pressed against the wet marble. He lowered his head. “Oh God,” I moaned, arching against him, my brain no longer a threat to my raging hormones. The feel of his mouth on my body was driving me wild.

“Tell me you want me, Grace.” His breath was hot on my body. His hands were bracing me against the wall. He wasn’t allowing me to move. I tried to feel the presence of the ring, but he was smarter. Even in his unbridled passion, he knew not to put the ring in contact with my skin.

“No, this is a lie.” My voice was breathy. If this were a lie, it was all mine. My body practically screamed for him. But I couldn’t say it. I wouldn’t say it.

He stood up straight. His eyes were black. 

I felt his anger. He used his body to pin me to the wall as he lowered his hands to his sides. The steam from the shower began to fade and I thought he might give up and storm out.

I was so wrong.

“We will finish what we always seem to begin. You fancy yourself noble.  I admire that, but think of the struggle! How unnecessary, this waste of energy and time. You think too much. Yes, I am the enemy. Yes, I am a monster, but think of this, I am also a man. You are just a woman, reacting in a natural way. We are both beautiful, we are both nude. Take what I offer.”

He made some sense.
How scary was that?
But, even though I was entering double digits on the months of celibacy, I wasn’t ready to give in.

He sighed dramatically, “Place your hands on me, Grace. I see we must play more games.”

“Seth, don’t do this.” I knew it was pointless to beg. He would, whether I wanted him to or not.

“I will not hurt you, you know that, Grace. After all, you’re only doing what you want to do. If you truly didn’t want me, the ring wouldn’t work. But if you need this excuse to bandage your tarnished morality, so be it.”

I sighed. It was useless and stupid to voice anymore arguments. I would not admit anything to him. It would be a betrayal to me and my friends. There was only one way out of this, or around this. Damn it! This was so messed up. I placed my hand on his moist chest. Then, like before, I envisioned my will as a solid thing, and pushed it into him.

All my reservations fell away, replaced by a scorching fire of lust that instantly filled my body.  The heat started in the deepest pit of my stomach and spread in all directions. My mind was drained of all sanity and I clung to him in frantic desperation.  Slick moisture began between my legs, screaming for satisfaction. I rose up on my toes and wrapped one leg around his waist, struggling to line my body up with his.

He growled an inhuman sound that resonated around the shower. His eyes were so black, they looked blind. He threw his head back and lifted me. I wrapped my other leg around him crossing my ankles behind him as he supported my full weight.

He placed his hands on my hips and guided his hard length to my moist opening. My nails raked his strong shoulders, leaving behind thin trails of blood. I screamed as he lowered me. He growled again, then opened his mouth. As I watched, the already deadly points grew longer. He moaned then lunged toward my neck. I was utterly impaled.

He lifted his head, his mouth red from my blood. It should have scared me, but it only sent another thrill through my already crazed body. I leaned in and took his mouth. Sucking on his tongue, I tasted my own blood and that was just fine. He pushed away from the wall, and carrying me, he entered the bedroom.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, “I will never stop craving you.” His hands were everywhere. I was incapable of speech. My mind was drugged with lust. I pulled him to me. He bared his teeth and turned me around. Pushing my head down to the mattress he snaked an arm around my waist and jerked my hips up. I was on my knees; Seth nestled closely behind me. The soft strands of his long hair swept along my back and thighs. His need was urgent. My mind was no longer my own. I felt his teeth enter my shoulder, the sharp sting of pain masked by my intense pleasure.

NINETEEN

I was breathless. Sleep threatened to claim my sated body as I buried my face in the blankets.  Seth was lying on his side, tracing slow circles on my back.

My mind was clearing and the realization of what I had done began to come over me. I knew it was his wish. But I also knew it was what my body wanted. I could rant and rave, yell and cry rape. But it was a lie. I knew I wanted him. From the first moment I saw him, I wanted to feel his naked weight, slide my fingers through all that glorious blue-black hair and feel it sweeping along my body as he moved.

I was the biggest slut. What the hell was wrong with me?

“You are so quiet, my sweet, are you coming back to yourself?” he whispered softly.

He sounded so calm, satisfied.

“Yes, I’m feeling like myself and you don’t have to tell me. This was my own lusty mind that jumped all over you. I know, I admit it. I lust after you. Sex with you is like a day at the sex circus, one thrill after another. You have ruined me for all other men, mortal and immortal alike, okay? Are you happy now?”

“Yes.”

“That’s all you have to say?” I rolled over, glaring at him, “Yes? That’s just great. So now what? You’ve proven to me and yourself that I want you, but that doesn’t mean I like you, because I don’t. And the only reason I had sex with you was because I was compelled to. You never would have gotten me into bed at all if it weren’t for the ring, so remember that, Mr. Ego.” 

As lies went, it was pretty good.

As usual, he ignored me. “Your scent drives me wild, and now that I have tasted all of you, I fear I have become addicted.”  He rolled over and took my hand, “You will be moved to my private quarters. He pressed a kiss to my knuckles, “You will stay with me. I want you by my side when I wake.”

I jerked my hand away, “Like hell, Seth! I’m not sleeping with you!  Don’t you die during the day? Yucko!! No way! Do you want to drive me insane? I think I’ll stay here, thank you very much.” I was severely freaked out. No way was I slumbering next to a dead man. Then I had a flash of intelligence.
God
, I could be so stupid.  If I slept with him, I could steal the ring back.

He watched me like I was a bug under glass.

“I know what you’re thinking, Grace. Do you honestly think I am fool enough to allow the ring to be taken again?”

Shit, shit, shit.

“What do you mean?”  I tried to sound innocent and failed miserably.

“The decision is made,” he said, ignoring my pathetic attempt at naïveté. “Now come, we have a big night ahead of us.”  He rose off the bed, still gloriously nude. Clearly, this was a man who never felt bad about his body. His muscles bunched and rippled as he moved.

I got up slowly. My body aching from the merciless pounding I experienced only moments before.  “What do you mean a big night? Isn’t the sun coming up soon?” I was beginning to hate this windowless room. I had no concept of time. “Just what time is it?” I asked.

“You must be prepared,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “You are the guest of honor at my celebration.”

“Celebration?”  Now I was really confused.

“Yes, sweet, my people are gathering to celebrate my success in acquiring the Madea. All of my people will be here to show their fealty to me. I am now more feared than any other being in this world or any other. You will bathe again. I will send Nadia to assist you.”

He strode to the door, mindless of his nudity. Before he stepped out, I yelled, “I don’t need help bathing. I’m fully aware of how the soap works.”

“You will need assistance with your gown. It is… complicated.”  With that inscrutable statement, he swept through the door, shutting it quietly behind him.

I walked back to the shower. It looked inviting, but I needed a bath. My poor body needed a good soaking.

The tub was modern and very deep. I turned on the taps and pressed the stopper down. The collection of soaps and oils was unusual. The labels were in some funky language I didn’t understand, so, I was forced to smell all of them to decide which one I wanted to use. I settled on a spicy lavender scent. Pouring the soap into the stream of water, the bubbles began to grow.

I went to the little room that housed the toilet and took care of some much needed business. While I sat, my mind relived this wild night. I wasn’t going to scold myself anymore. I knew my situation was pretty much hopeless. Unless I could get my friends out of here, or somehow steal the ring back, I was stuck. I knew I certainly couldn’t beat him up for it.

The water was rising, the bubbles billowing. I turned off the taps and gingerly stepped into the hot tub. I was amazed how hot the water was considering the shower ran entirely too long. If I were at home, a twenty-minute shower would have depleted my entire hot water supply for the next few hours.

The bath felt soothing. I ran my hands over my newly acquired bites and grimaced. I wondered if Seth was using me as his soul source of nourishment. I should be dead with all the blood I was missing. I wondered if being a Madea had anything to do with my endurance.

I soaked for a long time, until my skin started pruning. I was about to get out when a bright and cheery voice came floating in from the bedroom.

“Hello, dear, it’s Nadia.” She came bustling into the room, a whirlwind of motion. She was carrying a huge, black terry cloth towel. I stood, reaching for the towel when she walked right up to me and wrapped me up like a human burrito. I was bewildered. She didn’t seem at all embarrassed at tending to a completely naked woman.

I followed her rushing form into the bedroom.

“Uh… Nadia?”  I asked as I stood by the bed.

She was spreading out a billowy black gown, some shocking underwear, thigh-high stockings and garters. All of this was, of course, in black.

“What is all of this?” I asked her as she pulled the towel from my body.

She ignored me as she patted the towel over my wet limbs. I just stood there like a lump, letting her manhandle me. Then, she led me over to the foot of the bed and started drying my hair with a smaller black towel.

“Oh my! You poor dear, he has left his mark on you, hasn’t he?”  Her cool fingers traced the bite marks on my back and I flinched. I was now aware that this nice old lady knew exactly how I came to be here. “You are well and truly his now. I’m so pleased.”
And she was happy about it.

“Well, I’m glad one of us is pleased. Not that I’m agreeing to the ‘
truly his’
part, I think we’ll just agree to disagree on that one.”