"You affect me so strangely," he murmured.
Her night colored eyes were troubled as her head tilted to the side. "Is it in a bad way?"
He didn't know how to answer that question. This lack of control couldn't be good for anyone around him and yet she made him feel a thousand times more powerful than what he was. When he was with her, he felt like he could do anything. "No," he whispered. "I don't think it could ever be in a bad way Genny."
She appeared doubtful as her eyes were still questioning upon his. Her body appeared to brace for the final blow as her shoulders thrust back, her face became distant, and her lips pressed together. She was rigid in his grasp when he tugged her closer to him.
"Never in a bad way," he whispered.
"Atticus…" her voice trailed off when he placed his hand against her neck.
He pressed his lips to her forehead. "I could hold you forever," he murmured against her ear.
His lips moved over the thin column of her throat. He tasted the sweetness of her skin as he kissed her from her ear to her collarbone. A small moan escaped her lips, her hands dug into his flesh where they rested against his hips. She turned her head to allow him better access to her neck. She wouldn't have made the gesture if she'd had any idea what she did to him, what he wanted from her. His lips paused over her vein; he fought the urge to sink his fangs into her vulnerable flesh. Though her heart didn't pump blood through her body like a human's did, there was still blood within her, blood that was driving him crazier than any human's could.
"And I'm dying to know what your blood tastes like," he told her.
A jolt went through her body as she pulled back to stare up at him. Her eyes searched his face and her mouth parted in surprise. He could well imagine she was horrified and unsettled by what he'd just said, he would have been. If anyone had said it to him, he would have walked out, or killed them if they tried to do it. He'd had to tell her though; it would be impossible to keep it hidden from her. Even now, his fangs were extended and throbbing. He'd fed last night but hunger burned through his veins as relentlessly as lava streaming downhill from an erupting volcano.
His fingers slid over the silken flesh of her throat. "I've never…" she shook her head; her eyes darted briefly away before coming back to him.
"It's not what we do, I know," he assured her. "But I want it so badly from you that I'm having a difficult time controlling it." Her vein kept him mesmerized as his fingers rested against it. "It's all I want."
He'd expected fear in her eyes when he met them again but there was no fear; there was only curiosity, and a hunger that more than matched his own. "Then do it."
"You don't know what you're asking for."
"I don't," she agreed. "But I know it's something that I can give to you that will bring you pleasure, and that's all I need to know."
His fingers slid away from her throat, his eyes remained locked on hers. The excitement thrumming through him caused the hair on his arms to stand up. Not even when he'd been about to lay with his first woman had he been this aroused by the prospect of what was to come, and there was nothing sexual about this.
She'd given him permission, yet he hesitated. He sensed there was something more to this, something completely irrevocable. Even with the weight of that realization pressing upon him, his fangs ached to slip into her skin and he could feel his self-control wavering. It didn't matter if there was no going back after this. It was Genny that he would be experiencing this with, and he found himself already bound to her in some intrinsic way.
Her hands moved away from his hips, they caressed up and down his sides before slipping around to his back. The heat of her gaze continued to hold his as her fingers curled into his clothing and skin. Unable to resist, he smoothed her hair back from her face and kissed her tenderly. It took everything he had to go slow but his body screamed for her blood. Her natural scent became stronger with her need as she pressed her body flush against his.
This isn't what vampires do, he thought again. She'd be able to find him anywhere afterward, be able to track him through her blood inside of him, but even as he thought it he realized that he didn't care. Her lips were warm against his skin, her mouth hot as she placed a kiss to his shoulder. The pressure of her fangs against his flesh caused a jolt to go through him. They scraped against him but didn't break his skin. His fingers curled into her thick hair as he realized she was fighting with the same urges driving him.
What he would have killed another for trying to take from him, he found himself saying instead to her, "Do it."
There was a second of hesitation and then her fangs pierced his skin. His body reacted as if it had been hit by a bolt of lightning. He jerked against her, his grip on her intensified. The flow of his blood entering her system was more erotic and profound than any sexual act he'd ever had with a woman. Nothing had ever given him as much satisfaction as the sensation of her feeding from him and gaining nourishment did. He could feel the pleasure she took from him as she bit deeper and a small mewl escaped her.
He bowed his head, his lips pulled back as his mouth rested against her throat. There was no hesitation, not anymore, as he sank his fangs into her enticing flesh. In that moment there was nothing in the world except for the two of them, nothing except for her and the joy of her blood filling him. It strengthened him in ways he'd never dreamed possible, in ways that no human's ever had. He could feel the power of it seeping through his body and pulsing through his veins.
With her was where he belonged, where he would always belong. She was his now.
- CHAPTER 11 -
Half-asleep in his arms, Genny curled against his chest as they rode back toward the clearing where they'd originally met. His arms tightened around her when she nestled closer to his chest. His lips pressed against the top of her head as he bowed his head to hers. A smile curved her mouth, her hand wrapped around his powerful bicep and she inhaled the enticing scent of man, horse and leather that adhered to his smooth skin. She could also detect the scent of her blood within him now, flowing through his system. It was a link that no vampire sought to share with another, and yet it made her feel so incredibly whole and secure that all she wanted was to taste him again.
"Genny?"
"Hmm?" she murmured.
"What just happened…" She stiffened against him when his voice trailed off and braced herself for him to say that it couldn't happen again, that he regretted it, or that it had been a mistake. She didn't think she could take that kind of a blow; it would devastate her more than Felix's fists ever could. "I love you Genny."
Her head shot up, unexpected tears burned her eyes as she met his shadowed gaze. His jaw clenched; he looked as fragile as an icicle as he braced himself for her response. She rested her palm against his cheek, the stubble already beginning to form there prickled against her palm. "I love you too," she whispered.
The distant look faded from his eyes, his tempting mouth curled into a smile that warmed her all the way to her toes. He pulled the horse up before bending his head to taste her lips. Pleasure swirled through her; she fisted her hands into his shirt and held him against her.
There was no thought of Felix when she was in Atticus's arms, Marie ceased to exist, and even Camille became a distant presence. He pulled his head back from hers; let go of the hold he had on her hair and repositioned her in his lap. Yes, in his arms was where she was supposed to be; she knew that as surely as she knew that the birds would sing come morning. He rested his palms against her cheeks and kissed away her tears. He had the most radiant smile, she decided, as she grasped his hands within hers and held them against her cheeks.
A rustling of leaves caused his head to shoot up. He moved so fast that she barely even realized she was moving before he had her swung around and planted firmly behind him on the horse. Genny struggled to grasp hold of his waist as she found herself staring at his rigid back. Though it was his cousin that emerged from the woods Atticus didn't relax. He stared relentlessly at the man ridi
ng his horse into the center of the clearing.
Merle's eyes briefly settled on her before focusing upon Atticus. "I've been sent to find you."
Atticus's brow furrowed as he frowned at him. "For what?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but we've both been summoned."
Atticus's jaw clenched, his hands tightened on the reins as a shudder went through his body. She was curious to know what was wrong but she knew it wasn't her place to ask. She would never question what went on in their world, it was a piece of his life that she could never be a part of, but she'd never seen that look on his face before. It radiated defiance, anger, and yet a strange resignation that she'd never thought she'd see from him.
She was the one that was resigned to the plight of her life, but he shouldn't be. He had money, power, security and influence over their world. She didn't have any of those things but she was beginning to realize he might have even less freedom than she did.
Atticus bowed his head in acquiescence. "I'll be there shortly." Merle hesitated; he glanced at her again as his horse backed up a step. "What is it?" Atticus demanded.
"I was told not to return without you."
She could actually hear Atticus's teeth grinding together as his nostrils flared. "I see."
He glanced back at her, squeezed her hands at his waist and gently pulled them free. He slid from the saddle and turned to her. Grasping hold of her waist, he plucked her from the saddle. The sensation of her body sliding down his as he leisurely lowered her to the ground caused a shiver of delight to run through her. The icy look left his eyes, the left side of his mouth quirked into a cocky half smile that told her he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
She had expected him to release her immediately now that they were in front of his cousin, instead he held her against him and kissed her sweetly. She stared up at him dazedly when he pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. "I'll see you tomorrow," he vowed.
She glanced at Merle who looked hastily away. He became extremely intrigued by the treetops over his head. Genny would have laughed at the innocent expression he plastered to his face if it wasn't for the fact that she was troubled about why he had been sent here to begin with. "Are you sure you'll be able to get away?" she whispered.
"No matter what it takes, I will be here tomorrow Genny."
She squeezed his forearms before she took a reluctant step away from him. His eyes searched hers, he hesitated for a minute before turning away. He grabbed his reins and swung into the saddle without the aide of the stirrup. Genny took another step away; he stared lingeringly at her before spurring his horse forward. Merle finally looked toward her again. She'd expected him to spurn her; instead he bowed his head to her, lifted his fingers to his forehead and gave her a small wave. Genny tremulously smiled back at him, unreasonable tears burned her throat as she watched them disappear into the woods.
Exasperation filled her at the tears and the weakness she felt creeping through her system, but she couldn't shake the strange gulf growing within her. The sense of loss filling her was even more intense than it had been any other time that they had separated. What had their exchange of blood created between them?
She stood with her shoulders hunched up as she tried to regain control of herself. Her fingernails dug into her palms until blood trickled down her fingers. She had to pull herself together if she was going to make it through this night. Bending down, she wiped her hands on some leaves and rose again. Thrusting her shoulders back, she forced herself to put one foot in front of the other in the opposite direction from where Merle and Atticus had disappeared.
It felt as if she were walking through a fog as she pulled a small purse of money from one of her hiding places. She may not have made it into town today but Felix would still have to be paid. Jogging through the woods, she made it back to the main road that led through the vampire village.
Her thoughts turned to Atticus's reaction to Merle's words. She wondered what he had been recalled to do and if he would, in fact, return tomorrow. The thought made her already constricted chest tighten even more. It took all she had not to turn and run back into the woods after him but there was no way she could bring him back or find out what was going on. If he didn't return tomorrow, he would return as soon as he could, of that much she was certain.
"Genny! Genny!" She didn't know how long Camille had been calling for her but her sister gave her a disgruntled look when she arrived at her side. "What is wrong with you?"
Genny blinked, shook her head, and forced a smile. "Nothing is wrong."
"I've been calling you for the past fifty feet and you just kept walking."
"Sorry," she apologized as Camille looped her arm through hers. "I guess I was daydreaming."
"About him," Camille teased.
Genny forced a laugh but it was difficult to get the sound out when her chest felt like it was being crushed. "Maybe a little."
"Did you enjoy your ride?" Camille inquired as she leaned against her side.
"It was a wonderful time," she admitted.
Camille glanced up at her from under the thick fringe of her lashes. A wistful smile played across her mouth before her head dropped down to Genny's shoulder again. "I'm glad. You deserve some happiness."
Genny kissed the top of her sister's head, she was tempted to tell her about what had happened between the two of them today, but it was still so new to her and she wasn't sure her sister would understand. "I am happy," she said instead.
Camille squeezed her arm as they continued down the street. They passed a few of the Watchmen but by now most of them had retreated to the club in the center of the village for the night to stand guard. They passed by the large stable that served as cover for the club that had been built beneath it. Genny had never been inside this club but just passing by it she could smell the aromas of blood and sex that wafted out from within. No human would ever know it was there, but any passing vampire would be able to find it immediately. Unlike the more luxurious clubs the aristocrats attended, both male and female vampires gathered within the small club that every village had.
The closer they got to Felix's small hut, the more the gulf inside of her became a block that seemed to be tied around her neck. She hoped that he would decide to take tonight's earnings and go to the club but just being inside that hut made her feel imprisoned. The light flickering from the candles inside the other huts they passed looked almost inviting, but the light coming from Felix's seemed more like a bad omen.
Even before they arrived at the rickety shelter, she heard Marie's voice drifting out from within. She exchanged a questioning look with Camille as Marie's high, flirtatious laughter filled the air. "Sounds like she's been drinking," Camille muttered.
Genny nodded her agreement, she forgot all about her concern over why Merle had been ordered to retrieve Atticus when she rested her hand on the knob. Thrusting back her shoulders and lifting her chin, she braced herself before opening the door and stepping into the hovel. "There they are! My girls!"
The scent of cheap wine filled Genny's nostrils seconds before her mother's palms squeezed her cheeks and then she kissed her puckered lips. Genny recoiled from the wretched scent of stale wine wafting from her and the cool feel of Marie's lips as if she'd been slapped. Marie must have consumed enough wine for ten men if she was willing to touch her again, let alone kiss her. She couldn't remember the last time either of those things had happened.
"Oh Genevieve, always so reserved, sometimes I wonder if you are my child," Marie said in a falsely bright tone.
"So do I," Genny muttered.
Marie laughed as she danced over toward Camille who took an abrupt step behind Genny in order to try and avoid her. The fact that her youngest child wanted even less to do with her than Genny had was no deterrent. She grabbed Camille's arm and tugged her forward. "So beautiful, my Camille. You look so much like me!"
So much like you used to look, Genny thought as she took in Marie's haggard appearance. Vampires usua
lly stopped aging in their early twenties but nearly seventy-five years of hard living had taken their toll on Marie. Her hair was the same wheat blonde color as Camille's but it hung lankly around her face and was currently darker in hue due to the fact that it had a thick layer of grease built up on it. Her skin didn't have Camille's healthy peaches and cream glow but was a sickly pale color that reminded Genny of a human on their deathbed. Even her once red lips were faded to an unhealthy bluish white. Her high cheekbones stood out sharply, and her clothes hung limply on her frail frame. It had been only a few days since she'd last seen Marie, but she appeared to have lost five pounds in that time.
Genny didn't care what it was Marie had been involved with while she'd been away or what she was up to now, just as she was sure Marie cared little about what she had been doing. There was a reason she was here tonight, a reason she was being so overtly loving toward them and Genny knew she would reveal her reasons soon.
Camille's lips skimmed back in revulsion and she finally succeeded in tugging her hands free of Marie's grip. Marie laughed as she twirled away toward where Felix sat in his chair in the corner. There were a couple flagons of wine on the floor at his feet; his brown eyes were bloodshot as they went from Genny to Camille and back again. His brown hair had been slicked back with grease from his narrow face, rat-like nose and stubble lined jaw.
"Money," he barked and held out his hand.
So that's it, Genny thought as she reached into her cloak and pulled out her small money purse. Marie must have run out of her own funds and had now returned to whisper in Felix's ear. Marie slid onto Felix's lap and turned sideways so that her legs draped over his arm, then glanced up at Genny with malice in her eyes. Genny refused to break eye contact with Marie as she moved closer to Felix. The cracks of the open palm she dropped the money into were filled with dirt; his fingernails were ragged and brown. She had no idea how Marie allowed this man to touch her, but then she supposed that they were both perfect for each other.