Cursed

  “Oh, I see.” Nar’sa’s eyes widened. “We wondered why the alarm was set off.”

  “That’s why,” Stav said shortly. “Should I touch it now?”

  “Yes, you have both been granted access,” Ta’no said. He looked at Charlotte. “We are regretful that the Joined One felt it necessary to teach you in such a fashion. We prefer not to use pain in our own lessons.”

  “Well maybe that particular Joined One is a sadist,” Charlotte muttered.

  “Hush.” Nar’sa looked alarmed. “You must not speak so of Ye’ha’Na’ho.”

  “Who?” Stav asked, stepping closer to the panel. “Is that its name?”

  “It is.” Ta’no nodded. “Ye’ha’Na’ho is ancient—they were the original disciples of J’lorgan himself. When he was first establishing this resort, they were young and unjoined—at the same stage that Nar’sa and I are now.”

  “That was hundreds of cycles ago,” his mate continued for him. “After J’lorgan passed over to the other side of existence, they took over. Their wisdom is vast.”

  “If you say so,” Charlotte muttered. “But I still say they’re sadists.” She looked at Stav. “Are you going to touch the panel or do you want me to?”

  “I will.” Bracing himself for a burn, he pressed his palm cautiously to the panel. At first nothing happened, then his hand was outlined in green light and a small chime sounded from inside the door.

  “Good, good.” Nar’sa nodded at Charlotte encouragingly. “Now you, my dear.”

  “All right.” Lifting her chin, Charlotte pressed her palm fearlessly to the panel which had burned her earlier. The relief on her face when it lit green and chimed softly instead of delivering another painful burn was evident.

  “Good,” Ta’no said approvingly. “And now…” He and Nar’sa both pressed their palms to the panel at the same time and the purple door slid silently open.

  “Welcome,” Nar’sa said softly, “To the second circle—the Circle of Discovery.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Charlie wasn’t sure what reaction she was supposed to show. It wasn’t like the sight that greeted their eyes behind the purple door was wild or amazing or wonderful in any way. In fact, as far as she could see the long metal corridor on the other side of the door looked exactly the same as the one they were currently standing in. Except…was the lighting in the other corridor somewhat…pinker? But other than that…nothing.

  “Um…wow,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic. Stavros was more direct.

  “I do not see much difference,” he said flatly. “Except that the lighting in the far corridor seems to be tinged with pink.”

  “You will feel the difference,” Ta’no assured them. “Here, step across the threshold with us.”

  He and Nar’sa stepped through the doorway and waited.

  Charlie shot a look at the big Kindred. He shrugged. What have we got to lose? the gesture seemed to say. Charlie nodded and they stepped through together.

  She waited to feel different but still…nothing.

  “Uh…” She looked at Nar’sa. “I don’t feel anything at all.”

  “It is subtle, my dear. We are still far from the Heart of Love but as we move closer and further into this circle, you will feel yourselves opening to each other—unfolding like flowers to reveal your most cherished secrets.”

  “If you say so,” Charlie said dubiously. “So where is our class being held? The guided meditation thing.”

  “Here.” Turning off the main corridor, Ta’no took them down a short hallway that ended in a dark pink doorway. It slid aside to reveal a small room with a raised platform on one end. The platform was perfectly round and about the size of a king sized bed. It had a red furry covering on it that looked to Charlie like something an old fashioned Bond villain might have in his evil sex lair.

  “What’s that?” she asked, stepping into the room.

  “The truth-saying couch,” Nar’sa said. “Come, you and your mate must come and sit on it together.”

  Charlie looked up at Stavros who shrugged again. Together they walked over and sat on the round, furry circular platform.

  “Whoa!” Charlie gasped as it rippled under them. “It’s like sitting on a water bed!”

  “It’s very…strange,” Stavros agreed.

  “Get settled, one on either side, facing each other,” Ta’no instructed.

  Charlie did as he said, trying to arrange her white robes modestly. Not that there could be much modesty with the nearly see-through white fabric but still, she tried. Stavros, who was wearing his Pharaoh-skirt again, did the same.

  “Good,” Nar’sa said. “Now look into each other’s eyes.”

  Charlie felt a little uncomfortable about this. When she’d heard the class was called “guided meditation” she’d thought it was going to be a piece of cake—probably just closing their eyes and saying “Ommmm” a lot while Nar’sa talked about beautiful meadows and serene mountaintops. But now, right off the bat, they were being asked to make prolonged and intimate eye contact. That was going to be embarrassing, especially considering what had happened between herself and her partner last night.

  Stavros also seemed to be made uncomfortable by the order.

  “I thought this class was supposed to be about meditation,” he said, not meeting Charlie’s eyes.

  “It is…in part. It is guided meditation and spoken affirmation. And what better meditation could you have than to look into the eyes of your lover and soul mate?” Nar’sa said softly. “Come now—do not be worried or ashamed. Simply look into each other’s eyes and let yourselves be.”

  Charlie took a deep breath and looked up at the big Kindred who still wasn’t meeting her eyes. Okay, it’s still better than being told to touch each other in some awkward, sexual way. We can do this—we have to do this.

  “C’mon, Stav,” she said, under her breath. “Look at me. We don’t want to get demoted back to the first circle, right?”

  “I suppose not,” he growled. “All right.” Slowly, he raised his eyes to look into hers.

  Just pretend it’s some kind of scientific exercise, Charlie told herself. Analyze the exact shade of blue of his eyes. Count the flecks of silver and look at the pattern around the edge of the iris. Look at his eyelashes—they’re so long for a man. An auburn so dark it’s almost black. Don’t think I’ve ever seen that shade before…

  But though she tried to stare at Stavros as though he was nothing more than a scientific specimen, she couldn’t stop the feelings that came over her as she looked into his eyes—couldn’t keep herself detached. Looking at him like this, into those deep indigo eyes, she could feel her heartbeat quicken and her pulse begin to race. He was looking at her so intensely, as though he could see into her soul and she could smell that warm, spicy fragrance that seemed to be his natural scent rising between them. Suddenly, with no thought or planning on her part, she began to talk.

  “God, your eyes are so beautiful,” she heard herself saying. “I’ve never seen a shade of blue like that—it reminds me of the color of the sky when the sun is going down and its almost completely dark but not quite. It’s—” She clapped a hand over her mouth and looked at Nar’sa. “What’s going on? I didn’t mean to say all that!”

  “Your thoughts and feelings are coming to the surface—good, good.” Nar’sa nodded approvingly and Ta’no echoed her gesture. “Go on.”

  “Go on?” Charlie exclaimed. “But I didn’t mean to say any of that in the first place? I—”

  “Charlotte…” Stavros’s deep voice sounded strained, as though he was speaking against his will. “I find you…most beautiful. In fact, you are the most desirable female I have ever seen.”

  “What? Really?” Charlie couldn’t help asking. “Or are you just saying that?”

  “He is speaking only the truth from the bottom of his heart,” Nar’sa assured her. “He cannot help it.”

  “But why can’t he help it?” Charlie demanded, looking a
t Stavros. At once she started speaking to him again. “I love how broad your shoulders are,” she heard herself saying. “And you hair is amazing—I love the way it feels between my fingers when I brush it. Not to mention your ass. Oh my God!” She turned back to Nar’sa. “Make it stop!”

  “There is not stopping once you are seated together on the truth-saying couch,” Ta’no said. “You are compelled to speak the truth and tell your innermost feelings and thoughts.”

  “The hell I will!” Charlie snarled. She turned back to her partner. “Stavros, we have to…have to…” She struggled with her mouth, her brain wanting to form certain words while her tongue seemed intent on saying something else entirely. “Rubbing against you last night was the most erotic experience of my life,” she said, unable to stop herself. “It was seriously the best sex I’ve had in years—the only sex I’ve had in years. I haven’t been with anyone for a long time. I don’t trust men—especially not Kindred men. Not after what happened to my…my…”

  She turned away from him quickly, barely managing to stop. The blood was rushing to her cheeks and her heart was galloping. Oh my God, this is mortifying! I have to make this stop! But how? I—

  “Charlotte,” he said in a low voice, drawing her eyes back to him. “I think we should…Just looking at you makes my cock hard and my fangs ache. The fact that you were willing to take blood from me and to bite me here, where my mark is most visible…” He touched the already mostly-healed bite mark on the side of his neck. “Makes me feel weak inside with need for you. I cannot…I cannot…” He tore his eyes away. “I should not be saying these things!” he growled.

  “Yes, you should,” Nar’sa urged gently. “It is good to tell your mate what you truly feel for them. In fact, now it is time to move on to the spoken affirmation part of our class.”

  “What?” Charlie demanded. “What have we been doing if not ‘spoken affirmation?’ I mean, what else would you call me telling Stav that I think his ass is hot?” She motioned at him, feeling her cheeks get warm at the embarrassing confession.

  “I find you posterior incredibly attractive too,” he said in that low, strained voice. “I know you think your behind and hips are too large but I find them very…what is the word you humans use? Oh yes, sexy. I like the way they fill my hands when I grasp you there, as I did last night while you were drinking from me.”

  “See?” Charlie demanded, looking at Nar’sa. “What’s that if not spoken admiration? I mean affirmation. Or whatever.”

  “These thoughts you are speaking are simply the ones from the top of your mind,” Nar’sa said.

  “Now we need you to dig deeper,” Ta’no continued for her. “You must each confess a fantasy you have had of the other.”

  “A fantasy?” Charlie looked at their counselors in disbelief. But inside she was feeling just a tiny smidgen of relief. She hadn’t allowed herself to fantasize about her partner—not even a little. And now she was profoundly glad she hadn’t. But she couldn’t help wondering, had Stavros fantasized about her? Looking at him, she had a feeling she was about to find out.

  The big Kindred’s jaw was clenched and his hands were balled into fists at his sides. He had a look on his face like he was fighting something—some urge—with all his might, but Charlie was certain that soon he would lose. Suddenly, she felt sorry for him.

  “Stav…” She touched him lightly on the knee. “It’s all right—whatever it is, you can say it. I know this is awkward and weird but I won’t be offended.”

  It was as though her words burst a dam inside him. Or maybe the impulse to speak the truth was simply too strong and he couldn’t help himself anymore.

  “Charlotte,” he said in a low voice, looking into her eyes. “I fantasize about you giving yourself to me. Coming to me naked, as you were last night, and baring your neck for my fangs. I want…” He swallowed hard but seemed compelled to continue. “I want to sink my fangs into your throat and fill your sweet, wet pussy with my shaft at the same time.”

  “You…you do?” Charlie’s hand crept to her throat unconsciously. She couldn’t help seeing what he was saying in her head…couldn’t help imagining herself naked and open for him, offering her throat for his bite, feeling his fangs pierce her skin as he thrust into her long and hard below.

  Slowly, he nodded. “I do. I want to feel you clench around me while you come over and over and then I want to come inside you. I want to fill you with my seed as I inject my essence and make you mine.”

  “Oh…God,” Charlie breathed. The hot, dirty words and the intense way he was looking at her were definitely having an effect on her body. Her nipples suddenly felt tight and achy and her pussy was hot and wet, throbbing with desire like a second heartbeat pulsing between her legs.

  “And now you know what I fantasize about,” Stavros growled. “You may hate me for it if you wish but I could not help telling you.”

  “I…it’s all right. Really,” she assured him. “I…you didn’t offend me.”

  “Good—this is good progress.” Nar’sa’s voice made her jump. For a moment she’d forgotten that there was anyone else in the room with them. “And now Charlotte,” their councilor continued. “You may tell Stavros what you have fantasized about him.”

  “Oh, I don’t fantasize—about anyone,” Charlie said quickly. “I mean, I just don’t. It’s not…not a thing I do.”

  “That is all right,” Ta’no said serenely. “If you have no fantasies, then a dream will do.”

  “Oh, I’ve never—” Charlie stopped short. That dream—the one she’d had her one night aboard the Mother Ship! Oh no—but that was so embarrassing! she moaned to herself. I can’t tell that out loud—I can’t. And then she heard herself begin.

  * * * * *

  “I had a dream about you the night before we left,” Charlotte said, looking at him. “I…an erotic dream. I didn’t plan it or wish for it…it just…just happened.”

  “Of course you didn’t plan it.” Stavros could see the tightness in the set of her slender shoulders and the distress on her face. Clearly she was dreading telling him this and just as clearly she could not stop herself. He wanted to reassure her as she had reassured him. “Charlotte…Charlie,” he murmured, touching her arm lightly. “It’s all right—say what you have to. I will not be upset.”

  “No, but I will,” she whispered miserably. “I can’t…I don’t want to…”

  “Just say it,” Stav urged her. “Say it and get it over with.”

  Charlotte nodded, biting her lip. “I…we…in the dream we were taking a class together. Just like we are now. But for some reason we had to undress each other as part of it.”

  “Mmm-hmm?” Stav nodded, motioning for her to go on. Though he knew it made her uncomfortable, he couldn’t help wanting to hear what she had dreamed about it.

  “And so…and so…” Charlotte took a deep breath. “And so the instructor—who was this little green man with these long antennae—told us to take off each other’s shirts. And so…so we did. I mean, I took off your shirt first and then…then you took off mine. And then he said we had to rub…” She cleared her throat self-consciously. “Rub oil all over each other’s chests.”

  “And did we?” Stav asked softly.

  She nodded. “I did you first and then you…you came around behind me and you cupped…cupped my breasts.”

  “I did?” Stavros shifted on the truth-saying couch, trying to make more room between his legs. Hearing her say such things in her soft, sweet voice made his cock throb with need.

  “You did,” Charlotte affirmed. “You…you rubbed oil all over my…my breasts and you pinched and…and twisted my nipples.”

  “Did I hurt you?” Stavros asked warily. He knew some females got off on pain and he did a little himself—at least he had gotten off on the pain he felt when Charlotte bit him. But he didn’t like the idea of hurting her and not just because her pain would be his as well.

  But to his relief, Charlotte was shaking her hea
d.

  “Not…not hurting me exactly. More like…teasing me. In the dream it felt really, really good.”

  “And then?” he couldn’t help asking.

  “Then you…you wanted to kiss me. There I mean.” She nodded down to her chest.

  “I wanted to suck your nipples.” Stav could hear his voice dipping down to a low, sexual growl but he couldn’t help it. The idea of taking the tight pink points he could see pressing against the thin fabric of her robe into his mouth made his cock ache fiercely.

  She nodded. “At first I…I wasn’t sure. But the instructor told me to let you do it. So you did. And I…” She took a breath. “I could feel your…your fangs as you did it, as you sucked me. They were so sharp and long but they never even scratched me.”

  “You must have been relieved,” Stavros said neutrally. He had heard from other Blood Kindred that human women often feared their fangs. It wasn’t surprising, really. But to his surprise, Charlotte was shaking her head.

  “No, I…I was disappointed.” She looked up at him, meeting his eyes. “I wanted you to bite me.”

  Stav’s heart seemed to stop for a moment in his chest. “You…wanted me to?”

  She nodded. “Yes, but you didn’t. Instead the instructor said it was time to finish undressing each other. And so I took off your trousers and you …you took off my slacks but not my panties.”

  “Why didn’t I take them off?” he growled softly.

  “Because they were the kind that weren’t supposed to come off. Don’t ask me why…” She waved one hand in a gesture of dismissal. “It was a dream, remember?”

  “So what happened next in your dream?” he asked.

  Charlie frowned. “I’m trying to think… Oh—then the panties started getting too tight—they were squeezing me.”

  “Just like your night dress last night,” Stav exclaimed.

  She nodded. “Weird, huh? You even…” She blushed. “Even bit them off with your fangs like you did last night.”

  “Hmm…” Stavros nodded. He well remembered getting her out of the wet gown, how he had ripped it open and the soft globes of her breasts had come tumbling out. He had felt those soft mounds against his chest several times now but he had yet to cup them in his hands or suck the sweet, pink tips into his mouth. Gods, how he wanted to taste her there! The only other place he would rather taste was her pussy—the source of the sweet honey she’d rubbed all over his shaft last night as she bit him. He looked at Charlotte. “Then what happened?” he asked in a soft growl.