"I need to go change." I spun around and marched towards the observation deck.
David grabbed my hand. "There's no time. We're almost there."
He nodded at the distance. The island loomed ahead of us. Two long white docks with covered bays greeted us. The large yacht parked in the largest berth that sat closest to the island. The docks ended at the land where they met a paved road. The road wound its way up a steep, terraced hill littered with boulders, wild flowers, and tall softwood trees.
The top was topped with a large fortress-like abode that shattered the endless blue sky above the island. The walls were a gloomy gray and topped by a parapet. A single stone tower stood at attention at the front left corner. The tall, thin windows gazed out on the waters with haughty indifference. A large lawn surrounded the bottom of the walls like a green moat, and I glimpsed a few smaller builders on the grounds.
Another movable bridge dropped at the rear and allowed the car to drive onto the paved road. David and I moved to the gangplank where Blake and his umbrella joined us. He smiled and swept his arm over the island.
"Welcome to my home."
I jerked my head towards the castle. "Did you design that or did you get your friend Dracula as an architect?"
He chuckled. "Neither. I worked with an existing foundation, and used a more modern architect. At least, two centuries ago the man was modern. Now let us go up so you can settle in."
We walked down the plank and over to the car. Famul opened the door and we slipped inside the darkened vehicle. The short but steep ride ended, and we stepped out on a large loop with a tree bed situated in the center. A wooden arch covered the entrance. The front doors were thick slabs of wood with carved scenes of wolves, bats, ornate headstones, and a crescent moon.
Blake led the way beneath the arch. The doors opened and we stepped into a large, tall entrance hall. Above us soared the high ceiling with its open rafter layout. The back wall held a long reception desk and to the right were the stone stairs that led to the higher floors. A passageway to the right of the stairs led to other rooms on the ground floor. To our left and right were wooden archways. The left led to a large dining room while the right was a sitting room.
We stepped over to the desk. A man of similar attire to Famul and the same age and expression bowed his head to us. Beside him stood a young man of eighteen with the complexion of a turnip. The kid wore a bow tie, valet jacket, and dress pants. His black hair was greased back and tucked under a flat bellhop hat. Blake grabbed a large, open book and pushed the tome in front of us.
"If you would sign in we can assign you a room," he told us.
David grabbed a nearby pen and scribbled a few words. I glanced over his shoulder and frowned. My eyes flickered up to him as he set the pen down. "Mr. and Mrs. Dives?"
He grinned and shrugged. "To avoid any confusion."
I snorted. "I'm already confused."
Blake took the book back and gestured to the rack of keys. "There are currently very few guests on the island, so you have your choice of rooms."
David leaned on the desk and pointed at a pink key among the dingy gray ones. "We'll take that one."
Blake chuckled, but handed the key to David. "A good choice."
I glanced between the men and the key. "What's that key go to?"
David winked at me. "You'll see."
5
I saw, and what was seen couldn't be unseen. I reluctantly followed David up the stairs to the second floor. The stairs continued, but we got off on the landing. The hallway ran to our left and right, and disappeared around the corners at either end of the castle. The outer wall held the doors while the inner wall was covered with arched windows that offered a view of a large inner courtyard. The courtyard was covered in ancient oak trees, curved flower beds, and winding stone paths.
I walked up to one of the arched glass windows and peered out. "So does the courtyard change if I want to steal a plant?"
David moved to stand beside me and smiled. "I've heard rumors that it changes into a graveyard, but I've never actually seen it."
I wrapped my arms around myself and shuddered. "Comforting."
He set a hand on my shoulder and nodded to our right. "Come on. Our room's this way."
David led me down the right-hand hallway and around the corner. More doors lay on our right. One of them, a doorway at the far corner, was pink. We stopped in front of that entrance. David unlocked the door and swung it open.
What he revealed was terrifying to behold. The suite was decked out in a palette of white and a soft pink. The pinkish-white floor marble tiles, the white walls, the rose-colored cupboards in the small kitchen. Even the feet of the two chairs around the small dining area table were pink. The two pink doors at the back and left-hand side of the suite were open and led into a bathroom and a bedroom. Four of the tall, narrow windows looked out on the sharp hillside behind the structure and the crashing waters of the bay beyond land.
I clapped my hand over my mouth to stifle the scream. David swept past me, turned to face me, and opened his arms. "Welcome to the honeymoon suite!"
I dropped my hand and glared at him. "No."
He chuckled, but dropped his arms. "Come on, it's not that-"
"No."
I spun on my heels, but he caught my hand and dragged me deeper into the pinkish abyss, more specifically the bedroom. David shut the door behind us and gestured to the pink monstrosity that was a bed.
"What do you think of the bed?" he asked me.
I swept my eyes over the hideous covers and shuddered. "I think I need a flamethrower."
He slipped behind me and wrapped his arms around my upper body. His soft words blew against the sensitive flesh of my neck. "Maybe you could wait until we're done using it."
I broke from his grasp and spun around to face him. "Are you nuts? We came here to find out who tried to curse you. That means we could be in mortal danger."
He walked up to me and tilted his head to one side. The look was sensually adorable. "We could, but you forget that I'm here."
My face fell. "Why does that not-" He leaned down and captured my lips in a deep, passionate kiss.
My body erupted with a lustful heat that pooled between my legs. His hands settled on my hips. Mine wound around his neck. When he pulled back we both panted for breath. My cheeks were warm and his were flushed. His eyes held a tinge of yellow in their depths that excited me.
"More than beautiful. . ." he whispered.
We kissed again. It was a long, passionate kiss. His arms looped around my waist and he pressed me close against his body. I felt the bulge of his need in his pants. The heat inside me caught fire. His hands roamed over my body. I groaned into our kiss.
He pulled away and swept me into his arms. He carried me into my bedroom and set me on the bed. I lay atop the sheets panting. My chest heaved. My body ached with need. His heated eyes swept over me. I felt naked beneath his scrutiny, and I liked it.
I pulled my shirt off and tossed it to the side. The top of my breasts were bared to him, and his eyes widened. He settled beside me and pressed me to the bed. One of his hands cupped my breast and massaged the sensitive mound of flesh. I moaned and squirmed.
A crooked grin slipped onto his lips. He unclasped my bra and my breasts were freed from their prison. He leaned down and enclosed my bud in his hot, wet mouth. My eyes widened and I gasped. He suckled me as his hand slid down my side. His fingers danced across my skin until he reached my pants. He deftly unbuttoned my pants and slid them over my hips. I kicked them off and left myself with only my underwear.
He raised himself on his hands and studied my naked body. I squirmed beneath his hungry gaze. The ache between my legs begged for his touch. He pulled off his shirt and pressed his bare chest against my breasts. We embraced each other in a passionate kiss as his hand delved between my legs. His fingers brushed my quivering womanhood. A tingle of pleasure ran up my body. I grasped his upper arms and shuddered.
It felt so good to be in his grasp, to have a man who lusted for me as I lusted for him. I wanted to be possessed by a creature as strong as him. A soft, deep groan escaped my lips as the tips of my breasts against his hard chest. My body was alive with the need he stirred inside me. I craved his touch, his lips, him.
His arms wrapped around me, pulling me towards him. His warm, muscular body fit perfectly against mine. He slung a leg over both of mine and pressed himself against my hip. A low rumble emanated from his throat. His hand hooked my underwear and slipped the flimsy cloth over my hips. I squirmed out of them. The bra soon followed, and I lay naked beneath him.
His hot, wet lips left a trail of kisses down my neck. He shed his pants and briefs until he was naked atop me. His long, stiff member rubbed against the quivering flesh of my thighs. I shuddered and bit my lower lip. He was so huge. My walls whetted at the opportunity to feel him inside me, thrusting into me, taking me.
"Mine," he murmured. "Only mine."
My breath quickened. I squirmed beneath him. My body demanded satisfaction. I needed to ease the burning need inside of me. He positioned himself between my legs and sank himself deep inside my wet folds. I grasped his arms and moaned. Every inch of him stroked my quivering nerves and sent delicious chills over my body.
"Oh god," I moaned.
He grunted and thrust deeper into me. I gasped and clutched onto him. Our dance was slow, achingly slow. Every thrust was a teasing touch of heaven. Each push of him inside me stimulated my lustful appetite, but it didn't satiate me. I wrapped my legs around him. He pressed deeper into me.
A deep, guttural groan escaped his lips. His thrusts quickened. Our sweat-soaked bodies slid against each other in perfect harmony. The room filled with the sounds of our sweet love-making. My moans mixed with his grunts. Every thrust brought me closer to fulfillment, to being his in the fullest sense.
I strained to reach that beautiful finish, and to take him with me. The agonizing pleasure became unbearable. Our friction drove me to the brink of madness.
When I spoke my voice was hoarse. "Please. Oh god, please faster," I begged.
He slowed his speed. I cried out in frustration and fear. He raised himself onto his arms and grinned down at me. The yellow in his eyes swallowed his dark brown. A sly, feral grin graced his lips.
"You are mine, and I will not be commanded by you," he growled.
I tried to stifle the whimper in my throat, but failed. His grin widened. He started his thrusts, but they were slow. Spasms of pleasure teased my body. I arched my pert, swollen breasts as a sacrifice to him. He pressed me against the bed with his body. His thrusts quickened. I clutched onto him and gasped for breath.
I could feel his stubbornness fade under his carnal need. Our bodies strained against one another. Every moment, every thrust was agonizingly wonderful. My body twitched and squirmed. Any moment now. I was so achingly close. Soon I would be his, and I relished the thought of belonging to this dominant male.
"Tell me how much you like it," he growled.
"So much," I whispered. I stroked his hair and nibbled on his ear. My body was filled with him. I needed only him. "Oh god, so much."
"Scream it to me," he demanded.
I leaned my head back and looked into his bright eyes. The heat inside them nearly took me. "Oh god, please don't stop. I need more. I need you."
A grin slid onto his lips. He thrust faster and deeper into me. "Louder!" he insisted.
The deliciously erotic incentive heightened my pleasure beyond what I'd ever experienced. My orgasm came swift and powerful. I was swallowed by blissful pleasure. I threw back my head and yelled my glee to the world
"Yes! Oh god, yes!" I screamed. He wildly thrust into me. My body twitched and trembled. "Yours! Oh god, yours!"
He leaned back his head and let loose a long, victorious howl.
David toppled onto the bed close beside me and took me in his arms. He pulled one of the hideous pink covers over our naked, cooling bodies, and I cuddled against his warm chest.
"I guess this bed's not bad," I murmured.
He chuckled. "Wait until you see the jacuzzi tub."
My eyes fell on the pink sheet over my shoulders and I shuddered. "I think I can wait."
6
The day was still young, so we cleaned up and dressed. A knock on the door reminded us there were others on the island. I leaned against the arm of a cushioned white couch with pink pillows as David answered the door. Blake stood in the hallway and behind him was Famul with our luggage.
Blake smiled and bowed his head. "I trust you've had enough time to get settled."
David returned the bow with one of his own. "Quite. And I'm guessing this is the time to see the spooky stuff?"
Blake nodded. "Yes, though I must warn you not to touch anything. The dungeons are not a place to take lightly."
I arched an eyebrow. "Dungeons?"
Blake looked past David at me. "Yes. This structure was originally a prison for criminals petty and violent. Those who misbehaved or too insane to manage were banished to the dungeons to live out their sentences." A crooked grin slid onto his lips. "That is, those who managed to live out their sentences."
David clapped his hands together. "Well, with that cheery bit of information let's go see who tried to curse me."
We stepped out into the hall, and Famul slipped past us into our suite. His cloudy eyes didn't look once at me. Blake guided us down the hall while I sidled up to David and lowered my voice to a whisper.
"What's with that Famul guy?"
Blake turned his head enough so we could see one eye. "I have very good hearing for my age, Miss Comes. As for your question, Famul has never been much for conversation, even when he was living."
I raised an eyebrow. "So he's undead?"
Our host smiled. "Yes, but not in the way I am. He's a zombie."
I froze and blinked at him. The men continued a few paces before they stopped. "Seriously?" I asked him.
Blake faced us and nodded. "Quite serious. He was a very loyal servant of mine in life, and when an assassin took his life I had him resurrected so he could continue to serve me."
I cringed. "Isn't that a kind of punishment?"
Blake smiled and shook his head. "Contrary to what modern movies and books report, the existence of a zombie is not completely without life. They have improved strength and speed, and are able to eat and drink, though they don't need the sustenance any more than I."
"And have the eyes and complexion of a fish with the personality of a rock," I quipped.
He shrugged. "There are drawbacks, of course, but an argument like this is fruitless. Come along." He turned his back on us and strode down the hall.
We followed, albeit I was reluctant as I glared at Blake's back.
David's eyes flickered down to me and there was a teasing smile at the corners of his lips. "You're really trying to make yourself an open blood bank."
I turned my glare on him. "I don't like zombie movies, and I don't like zombies."
"You're in a different world, and there are different rules here," he reminded me.
A sly smile slipped onto my face. "Then maybe it's time a few rules were broken."
David clasped my hand and chuckled. "I thought there was a reason you would make a suitable mate. Other than your frisky nature, that is."
We moved down the stairs and went into the hallway beside the steps. The dozen doors on the right-hand were much like those upstairs, but closer together. On the left was a side hallway that led into the employees-only section of the castle. The end of the wide hallway stopped at a pair of French doors that led out onto a small lawn. To the left of the doors and set three feet into the wall was a small landing that was stopped by a thick door with a small barred window in the upper center. A large lock shut what lay behind the door from prying eyes.
Blake stopped us at the thick door and opened the lock with a key with a head shaped like a skull. The rust and brittleness of the key in
formed us of its great age.
"The previous owners were kind enough to pass me the key to this very unique basement," Blake commented as he swung open the door.
The entrance swung inward and revealed a narrow, winding stone staircase. The stairs spiraled around a thick column of stone that sank deep into the earth. The walls were a mix of placed stone and those hewn from the earth where they were found. We were hit with a blast of damp air that made me cringe.
Even David wrinkled his nose and his eyes flickered to Blake. "You really need to air out your basement."
Blake pocketed his key and smiled. "That would be quite difficult considering there are no windows down there."
David squeeze my hand and glanced down at me. "And that's why you're staying close."
Blake chuckled and turned away from us towards the stairs. "That, and for other reasons."
Blake guided us into the depths of the island. Lit torches every twenty feet offered some flickering light, but did little to vanquish the darkness that lay in the walls where the corners of the stones met. Water slid down the walls and created utopias for mold and moss.
We traveled straight down some fifty feet before we reached the bottom. A hallway ran in three directions: left, right, and straight ahead of us. More torches revealed cell doors in the walls to our immediate left and right, and in front of us on either side.
Blake paused and half-turned to us. The flickering light aged his serious features. "I feel I must remind you to keep to the center of the hallway. Otherwise, I can't account for the consequences."
We nodded. The dank, quiet place demanded as much silence as possible. Blake led us down the hallway straight ahead of us. I stepped to one side and peeked through the barred doors. The torchlight didn't penetrate more than a foot into those small, damp confines. Each shadowed cell held a stone bench carved from the wall and nothing more.
David tugged on my hand and I looked over my shoulder at him. "Not too close," he warned me.
Then he tugged again. Harder this time, and on the wrong hand. I whipped my head around and saw what held my right hand. It was a faint gray fog with the barely discernible outline of a woman in a tattered dress. The figure leaned against the cell bars and had its arm stretched out to trap mine. The apparition's eyes glowed a malevolent red, and she gave another tug that pulled me closer to her cell.