It felt too good, too familiar.
The next was Matthias. She seductively toyed with him for a moment, noticing his smile. He cleared his throat. “Good.”
Albert was next. The probes were coming faster, with less time for her to respond to each.
She felt rocked from the side and saw Robertson’s smug smirk. “You weren’t paying attention, dear,” he chastised.
She viciously lobbed it back. But before she could complain they were everywhere, all over. She started to slam down her defenses when Matthias interrupted her.
“No. You must learn to repel them, not just block them.”
She closed her eyes and concentrated. When they stopped a few minutes later, she was sweating, trembling, and curled up on the bed in a fetal position.
Matthias looked at the others, and they wordlessly exited while he took her into his arms.
“I can’t do this.”
“You can,” he gently said. “And you will.” He brushed the hair from her eyes and held her as he waited for her tremors to stop. “You are more powerful than all of us put together. You can do anything you put your mind to.”
“I can’t do this. Just leave me here and go to the meeting.”
“You have to come with me.”
“Why?”
“Because they are going to try to help us solve this. They have to see for themselves how strong you are.”
She sat up and looked into his eyes. He’d dropped his defenses and revealed the truth. “Because you want them scared of me?”
Matthias nodded. “I want them to pass the word that you aren’t someone to fuck with. And that won’t happen—”
“Unless I am.”
He nodded again. “If they see they can rattle you, take you…” His eyes traveled over her face. “There won’t be anything to stop others from trying.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
They went to lunch once Taz recovered. Matthias sat next to Taz, across from Rafael. She studied Rafael while he talked with Matthias. She didn’t want to probe him, not so he could feel it. She tried to listen for his thoughts when she realized he didn’t have a shield up to block her. It would be rude to get into his mind.
Wouldn’t it?
She listened to them and looked at her food. She let her mind drift across the table and imagined a soft, swirling cloud of mist around Rafael’s head. If he was as strong as Matthias said and she could remain undetected, she had a chance of getting through tomorrow’s meeting without losing her mind.
Or looking like an idiot.
They were talking about something, but she wasn’t really paying attention. Then their voices floated to her from down a long, grey hall. She kept her eyes on her food, her mind on Rafael’s thoughts. She realized the imagery was important, allowed her to focus, and she slowly increased the density of the cloud around Rafael, drew closer to him, caressed the outer reaches of his mind.
And then she was inside, as easy as that. She was amazed how easy it was. Did he know she was there? Had he purposely let her in?
She sensed his love and devotion for Matthias. His mind felt different. Matthias felt like a soft quilt left in the sun, warm and enveloping. Rafael was a walk along a downtown city street on a cool spring day. There was more though, a lot more. She felt liquid heat churn in her lower belly as she latched on to his thoughts about her, things he wanted to do to her…
Then Rafael stood before her in her mind, and she stepped toward him—
“Anastazia.” Matthias gently patted her thigh. She opened her eyes and caught his amused smile. “Having fun?”
Her face reddened. “Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Not to the conversation.” His eyes twinkled. Across the table, Rafael smiled. Then she felt it—a soft, seductive mental caress. She shivered with pleasure.
It didn’t come from Matthias.
Oh crap. She met Rafael’s eyes for the briefest of moments before looking away, unable to deal with the unexpected rush of feelings and sensual heat the contact brought her.
Matthias brought her into the conversation, gave her background information on some of the people they were expecting, and went over the basics so she wouldn’t commit any etiquette faux pas. What Matthias and Rafael couldn’t remember, Albert and Tim filled in. After, Matthias walked between Taz and Rafael. She still felt the occasional mental caress from her lover’s cousin.
He was flirting with her. Hell, more than flirting, he was seducing her with his thoughts. Did Matthias know? Should she stop him? Should she say something to Matthias?
Did she want him to stop?
“Taz,” Matthias said, taking her hand. “Walk down the boardwalk, past where we were before. Tim sensed you from West Thumb, but I want to see if you can actively and functionally communicate at a distance with someone you don’t know well.”
She nodded, relieved to be away from them. The men sat at the edge of the boardwalk in front of Old Faithful, talking while she walked. Moe trailed behind with orders not to interfere, but if she collapsed to protect her and call for assistance.
She didn’t probe Matthias’ mind to see what they said when she left.
She didn’t want to.
She loved Matthias, had already come to terms with that despite their short amount of time together. There was still that niggling doubt in her brain, however. What if she was after him only because of what he could do to her? Or worse, he admitted how much stronger she was than him. What if he only wanted her because he couldn’t resist her?
And what of Rafael? Was he really flirting? Was it a planned test by Matthias to see how she’d handle it? Or was he just a victim of her vampire voodoo, too?
And why the hell did she feel like she knew Rafael when they’d just met? Why did she feel like she wanted to rip his clothes off and jump his bones?
Taz fought the urge to run. Not just down the boardwalk, but away. Take one of the Land Rovers and flee this whole crazy mess. Her regular life felt years and galaxies away. Had it just been six weeks since she took the job? And less than a week since her world shifted on its axis? And now—now she was a vampire and life was crazy.
“Are you okay, Taz?”
Matthias. She could hear him.
“Yes.”
What if Matthias couldn’t tell what Rafael was doing? Like an IM, could she be communicating independently with both of them, neither knowing about the other?
She walked a few minutes more, found a spot to sit on the boardwalk out of the way of traffic.
She cleared her mind and took a deep breath.
“Matthias.”
She was afraid she hadn’t sent it strongly enough when she felt him.
“My love.”
She smiled.
“He is a lucky man.” That was Rafael.
And there he was. She felt Rafael, not probing like earlier, but a gentle caress, a tease—
An invitation.
“Anastazia,” Matthias came to her. “Talk to me.”
“I’m sitting here with Moe staring at me, thinking to myself that it’s a beautiful day.”
She heard his laughter.
“Any chance I can talk you away from him?” Rafael again.
Was Rafael teasing or serious?
“I love him,” she sent back, hoping Rafael would stop…and part of her not wanting him to stop.
Matthias came to her next. “Try to see through my eyes.”
“I’m afraid to do that alone.”
“You have to learn sometime. You’re safe.”
She took a deep breath. Moe stood a few feet away, watching for any sign of trouble. Taz sent her mind out, locked onto Matthias, and stepped inside. Then she saw through Matthias’ eyes, watching Rafael looking at her—him—in a peculiar way.
“Very good. Don’t wear yourself out.”
She stepped back from the windows in the mental room she built for this and felt Rafael’s mental touch again.
“You are an amazing wo
man.”
“Quit flirting with me.”
Was that laughter? “Do you really want me to? He expects it from me.”
Talk about a three-way call from hell.
“Anastazia, I want you to try to take over Rafael the way you did me.”
She froze. “No, I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Trust me.”
She was afraid to. Matthias, that was one thing. But Rafael? If it wasn’t for the attraction, that…something she couldn’t put her finger on…
“I can’t, she thought to him. Please don’t make me.”
“Anastazia, you can do anything you put your mind to.”
When she didn’t respond, she felt Matthias again.
“Please, my love.”
She sighed. She didn’t want to and was annoyed he wanted her to. Okay, he wants it, he gets it.
“All right, fine!”
She slammed into Rafael’s mind.
Teach the bastard to flirt with me.
She used the image of a room but changed it to better suit her impression of Rafael’s mind. Cooler colors, differently shaped windows, more modern furniture.
She felt Rafael try to push against her and she smiled. “Okay, buddy, you want me? Here I am. Come and get me.”
Just like that, he was up and walking.
With her in control.
She felt him trying to resist, unable to keep her out. Even if he’d had time to erect a mental block, she knew now she could break through it. Now that she’d already found the way in, he couldn’t keep her out.
And it felt good.
She watched Matthias’ stunned expression through Rafael’s eyes as Rafael robotically stood, then walked away. She looked through Rafael’s eyes and followed the boardwalk. She saw herself in the distance, watching.
“Anast—”
“Shut up, Matthias. You wanted me to do this, so fine. I’m doing it.” She could multitask! She ignored Matthias’ further comments and focused on Rafael. She didn’t feel bad because this was what they wanted, right? To test her powers? And he had been flirting with her.
“So how do you like me now, buddy?”
She sensed Rafael’s confusion. Obviously, he’d never been in this position before. She turned his mind around in her mental hands like a crazy puzzle box, examined it, felt the edges and contours, his thoughts and fears and loves and hates.
She could own him. It thrilled and frightened her. Rafael tried again to erect barriers against her, which she gently pushed down. He couldn’t resist her—she was already in residence. It was weird watching Rafael walk toward her and seeing through his eyes at the same time.
Moe tensed a little when Rafael strode past and stopped before her. Once Moe realized they were fine, he turned and walked a few yards away, giving them privacy. Anastazia studied Rafael for a long moment then released his mind and body.
“What do you think about me now, Rafe?”
He looked at her, considering her with new respect. He’d obviously underestimated her abilities.
And that was an understatement.
She stood, started to turn away, and Rafael grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, kissing her.
It happened so fast he caught her off guard. Then she responded, putting her arms around him and welcoming his tongue in her mouth, pressing her hips against him, feeling his sudden hard bulge pressing back, his hands on her body. Matthias felt passionately tender. This man was intense, heated passion, a centuries-old hunger in him Taz sensed only she could sate.
It felt like she’d kissed him before, like a long lost love. She didn’t want to stop. Hot, roiling passion pulsed through her as he ground his hips against hers, backing her toward the handrail. She wrapped her legs around him as his hands slid down to her hips, lifting and pulling him against her.
Screw it, she needed him. Taz grabbed his hips and pulled him against her. She eagerly devoured him, wanting him, wanting more.
Not to mention the control! She owned him, could own any man she wanted. She had to taste him, feel his teeth sink into her skin. She felt his lips on her neck, his teeth grazing her flesh, and she moaned softly against him, licking him, ready to—
Matthias was in her mind like a splash of cold water. “Anastazia, are you okay?”
She gasped and jerked away from Rafael. He watched her, his eyes narrowing.
Had she done that? Had it been Rafael kissing her, or had she made him do it?
On shaky legs she turned away from Rafe and squeezed her eyes shut.
“I’m okay, Matthias—he’s okay. We’ll be back in a minute.”
She turned to Rafael. He stood with his back to her and leaned against the handrail for support.
Breathing heavy, she reached out and touched his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Rafe,” she whispered. “Are you okay?”
His voice sounded anything but—hoarse, ragged. “Yeah. Just give me a minute. Okay?”
“Okay.”
After several minutes he faced her. “I’m sorry, Taz.” He frantically worked his right thumb over his ring, twisting it around his finger, apparently unaware he was doing it.
She snorted, more to break her nervous tension than with amusement. “I don’t think you had much choice.”
“I did. I’ve been goading you all day. I’m sorry. You’re so strong, it’s just I—” He blocked the thought from her, and she didn’t press him for it. “I keep forgetting you’re really new at this. I’m sorry, baby girl.”
“I wish everyone would quit telling me how strong I am. If I’m so friggin’ strong, why do I feel like I’m going to crawl out of my skin any second? These assholes are going to chew me up and spit me out tomorrow.”
She lost it, her composure utterly, completely shattered. She burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably. She wanted Matthias’ arms around her, but there was only Rafael.
He went to her, willingly, and held her for several long minutes while she got it out of her system. Despite her irritation at the flirting, it was a comfort to be in his arms. Rafael held her, soothing, and even though moments earlier they were seconds from ripping off their clothes in public, now he was a safe haven, and she let him envelop her with his strength.
When she reluctantly stepped back, sniffling, she avoided his eyes. “Thanks, Rafe,” she said.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry this is so rough on you. You’re the first person we’ve had to deal with who—”
“I know, let me guess. Who is as strong as I am.”
“No. You’re the strongest. There’s never been anyone I know like you. You make Matthias and me look like amateurs, seriously. Once you can control it—Jesus Christ, Matts, we’re coming, give us a minute! She’s okay. She just needs a minute.” He smiled at her conspiratorially. “It’s like an annoying phone call.”
She laughed. Under different circumstances, she instinctively felt they could be close friends. Or more.
Much more.
She just hoped they all made it out alive so she could enjoy having him as a cousin.
Rafael stepped closer, lowered his voice, and took her hands in his. “I’m sorry, Taz. Really. I shouldn’t have been doing that. It wasn’t fair to you. Matts loves you. I’ve never seen the big guy like this, and that’s not bullshit. Go easy on him, okay?”
She nodded. He tenderly caressed her cheek before letting her go with a final hug.
He let her lead the way down the boardwalk back to the others as Moe brought up the rear. When Matthias saw her, he stood and waited, taking her into his arms when she reached him.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Tired.”
He looked at Rafael, concerned. “And?”
“She’s powerful.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you let her get some rest? You and I need to talk about tomorrow.”
Matthias looked at her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Taz nodded, slipping her arms around Matthia
s. She didn’t want him to let go. She wanted to forget kissing Rafael—oh God, could Matthias tell what she’d just thought? Or was a barrier around the event enough? Or could he sense a barrier around it—
“I need to go lay down for a while,” she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head, and she turned, taking long strides away from them, nearly breaking into a run when she rounded the corner.
Tim caught up with her, Larry and Curly on his heels.
“What happened?” Tim asked, grabbing her arm to slow her pace.
She shook her head, fighting the tears. What felt like a game in the heat of the moment now filled her with shame. She didn’t want to do this anymore. Not at the expense of Matthias’ feelings, or Rafael’s, and not at the expense of her own morals.
At the cabin, Tim followed her inside and cornered her. “Anastazia. What happened?”
She fell against him, sobbing. Now knowing what to do, she showed him the events with her mind rather than told him. He sat beside her on the bed, rocking her, trying to comfort her.
“Oh Anastazia, my child. It’s all right.” Eventually, her tears stopped, and she left her head in his lap while he stroked her hair. “Are you going to tell him?” he asked.
“I think I have to. Don’t you?”
“That’s not for me to decide.”
“I can’t believe I did that. I’m horrible.”
“No, you’re not horrible. He’ll understand.”
“I love Matthias, and I kissed his cousin!”
“Rafael is a flirt. Matthias is well aware of his proclivities. We should have warned you ahead of time to be prepared.”
“I didn’t wink at him—I kissed him! And then I almost…” She broke down again, sobbing.
“I believe it was mutual.”
She shook her head. “It was like I couldn’t stop myself. I just had this power and I wanted it all, wanted more. I wanted him.”
“I thought he grabbed you?”
“He did. But it was just…I wanted more. It’s like I know him. Like I’ve known him for years.”
Robertson pulled her into a sitting position and wiped her tears with his handkerchief. “Listen to me carefully,” he said, brushing the hair out of her eyes. “Matthias loves you. He has waited ten years for you. Something like this isn’t going to kill him. When you were dating others, he could have easily taken you back then. He wanted you to have your life, your way, knowing eventually he’d have his chance to show you how much he loves you and win your heart.”