He cupped my face and kissed me. My desire for him began to flood my senses and I allowed my fingers to skim along the hardness pressing against his jeans. There was something that I needed to do for my succubus and his Werewolf. No telling how long it would be before they got another opportunity to indulge in their wild desires. I pulled back enough to whisper,
“Let’s go outside and let the Werewolf and succubus play.”
We ran through the forest naked and I felt the draw of the moon from deep within me. It made me feel reckless and wild like being high. The moon was crack and tonight Paul and I gave into our addiction for it.
The Werewolf ran beside me, allowing me to guide its course and when I came to the spring where we’d first mated I stopped and called foreword my anxious little succubus.
When she filled my body I could close my eyes and ride the sensations that she experienced. All of it brought unimaginable pleasure, even the bites and the thrusting of the Werewolf’s cock. Because then she got her opportunity to bite and drink it’s rich and powerful blood.
When both were sated, Paul and I returned to our bodies and swam in the stream where we washed away all traces of the blood that covered our bodies.
“He’ll smell this,” Paul said, referring to Alexis while he kissed and lapped at the bite that the Werewolf had left on my back between my shoulder blades.
“Yes.” I turned and wrapped my arms around him and snuggled against his hard chest. Sleep seeped into me but I had time to think that maybe the smell of the Werewolf’s claim on me would be enough to maintain distance between Alexis and me. Whatever the consequences I stopped caring once I succumbed to sleep.
~***~
I awoke to find myself in my bed and a note from Paul resting on his pillow. It stated that he would call me later. He had left a fully charged cell phone on the bedside table and had instructed me to use it instead of communicating telepathically, fearing that it might distract him during critical moments. I hadn’t used a cell phone in ages but understood his concern.
I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and quickly prepared for the evening.
I communicated with Sam who said that she was packing some of her things and would return with BJ shortly.
Nervously I looked around the house and dashed around picking up baby items that had been left out. I simply closed the door to the family room where we gave BJ free reign to play. It was a veritable disaster zone of toys and stuffed animals.
My heart ached momentarily at the sight of it. Paul and I had enjoyed going toy shopping and had put careful thought into each item’s safety as well its durability. And as long as it didn’t reach five stars on the racket level then it went into the cart. We’d gone overboard but it was fun.
Okay, no more beating around the bush! I reached out with my mind, tracing the connection Alexis and I shared until I located him.
“Shall I join you now?” He asked.
I nodded. “Yes.”
Moments later he appeared directly in front of me. I gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you for agreeing to do this.” His eyes scanned his surroundings. “I’ll show you around.”
He didn’t respond but followed me as I led him from room to room while I nervously gave him useless information about an item that had been purchased, a light that was too dim, a window that caught the most sun.
He still hadn’t said anything when I took him down to the lower level and his living suite.
“I hope this is comfortable for you. I’m sorry that there are no real windows but I put up the plantation shutters to give the illusion.” It also helped that unlike the lower level of the average home, this one had high ceilings. There were three suites, each with a private five-piece bath and dressing area, and a large living area that was separate from the bedroom.
I knew that I was chattering too much about things that he probably could care less about and I met Alexis’ eyes anxiously. He nodded. He wasn’t even looking at the room. He was watching me.
“Feel free to make yourself at home on the main level. The office is strictly my assistant’s area and … you might not be very comfortable in the family room. It’s where my daughter plays.
“Show me the family room,” he requested.
“Sure.” I began to walk out of the room but Alexis clasped my wrist. I looked at him in surprise.
“Let us use the shortcut.”
“Oh. Right.” I flashed us to the large and cluttered family room. We always ended up here whenever the Ladies in Waiting or the Wolf Pack gathered. The sectional was big and comfy and had been broken in nicely.
Alexis stepped forward and looked around. He stooped to pick up a stuffed bear that had been washed so many times that it had gone thin in areas. We couldn’t get rid of it though, because BJ had named it. It was Bee Bee. You can’t throw away a toy that your child names.
“That’s Bee Bee.”
He gave me a questioning look.
I gestured to his hands. “The bear. My daughter named him Bee Bee.”
He handed me the bear. “I look forward to meeting your daughter.”
That surprised me. I couldn’t imagine Alexis around a toddler. This would be interesting.
Sam arrived a short time later. BJ kicked to be put down and when Sam did my daughter came running to me screaming Mommy happily.
I scooped her up and hugged her close. “I missed you baby girl!”
Sam eyed Alexis as she closed the door. “Hello.”
Alexis nodded. “Hello.”
BJ saw Alexis and a large smile crossed her face. She reached for him urgently.
“Rannie! Rannie!”
Alexis’ eyes grew wide while I struggled to keep the toddler in my arms while explaining.
“BJ thinks you’re her uncle Ran. And by the way, every one has the sound ee at the end of their names. Mommy, Bee Bee, Mimi, daddy and … Rannie.”
The baby began to cry and kick thinking that I was keeping her from her beloved uncle and I jostled her in my arms trying to distract her.
I saw Alexis’ hands as they gently lifted her from my arms. BJ immediately settled in ‘Rannie’s’ grip, her big blue eyes filled with wounded tears as she babbled incoherently to him about the cruelty that I’d just inflicted on her.
Alexis stared at her, his eyes still wide and curious. He seemed to be digesting everything she said.
Sam and I watched as BJ settled in the crook of her uncle’s arms like a good little girl.
Sam broke the silence. “Well, I’ll go out and get my things.” And then she left.
“I can take her now.” I said.
He looked at me and nodded. Now that BJ had gotten her love-time with Ran she came to me willingly. I headed for the family room and Alexis followed. I allowed BJ to play with her toys while I sat on the floor and played with her. Alexis just stood and watched. Sam joined us a moment later and slipped in a Yo Gabba Gabba DVD.
I looked at Alexis. “You can play with us.” But he just shook his head and watched.
BJ did a stumbling little dance when her favorite Yo Gabba Gabba song played and Sam and I laughed and clapped, encouraging her to shake her booty. Then she threw herself at Alexis, gripping his pants leg and hiding her face against him as she laughed along with us. When I looked up at him I saw that he was smiling.
~***~
Paul called while I was preparing BJ for her bath.
“Hi honey,” He said, sounding tired.
I propped my naked daughter up against my hip and frowned. “Did you get any sleep, babe. You sound exhausted.”
“I’m okay. How’s everything going?”
“It’s going well. Alexis arrived a few hours ago and Sam and BJ got home a short time afterwards.”
“And how is Alexis?”
I’m sure he could care less about how Alexis felt and was just asking about his reaction.
“He’s been surprisingly quiet. BJ thought he was Ran and wanted him to pick her up. He did and was very
gentle with her.”
I didn’t tell Paul that Alexis trailed me, following me around as if he would become lost if he didn’t keep me in his sights. The only time that he willingly left my side is when I changed Julie’s diaper and then he located Sam in the office where I found them a while later talking about the Byzantine and Roman empires.
Leave it to Sam to get him talking.
“How are things there?” I asked.
Paul explained that it wasn’t the most comfortable accommodations but no one was complaining. In the morning they were going to begin the process of inflicting bites on the humans. That would be less comfortable but the humans seemed excited at the prospect of becoming Werewolves, especially once the Wolf Pack had transformed and shown them what they could expect. There was not one person that had backed out.
“How many people?”
“Almost two hundred.”
“Damn! You three are going to have your work cut out for you.”
“We have others here to help but yes, the actual bites will be on the three of us. It will be a lot and I don’t know if we’ll be able to turn everyone this time around.”
I sighed. That meant that he might have to be away for another month. “I understand.”
“Did you feed?”
“No, not yet.”
“Kim, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Don’t miss one day of feeding, understand?”
I smiled. BJ became cranky and was ready to be put down in the bath. “I understand. I have to go, honey. I’m getting ready to give BJ her bath. But afterwards I’ll visit one of the ladies.”
“Alright. I love you.”
“I love you.”
“And kiss my baby.”
“I will.” When I hung up the phone I gave BJ a big kiss. “That’s from Daddy.”
CHAPTER 15
“No!” I said to Alexis. “Not going to happen.”
He crossed his arms and stared at me. “This is a ridiculous argument, Kim. I am going to the Council meeting with you because either your First Lieutenant or your Wolf always accompanies you. You told me that yourself. The last thing we need to do at this critical stage is to act out of character.”
“Alexis, you hate Malarias. You tried to kill him!”
He tilted his head upward in a defensive manner. “It is possible that one learns from past mistakes, my love.”
I tried not to cringe at the mocking way that he said ‘my love.’
“Every time you show up in someone else’s body Vampires still recognize you. Remember Esmerelda? Do you really think that Malarias won’t know that it’s you peeking out from behind Ran’s face?”
“He will not as long as I do not want to be detected.” I searched his face but he seemed confident about that.
No. What he wanted was too risky.
He continued. “What if this is the evening that Malarias decides to punish your Council? Is this not the reason that I was asked to protect you during your husband’s absence?” Alexis stated.
I placed my hand on my hips. He was truly needling me with this husband and your Wolf nonsense. He’d been living here for two nights and this was the most words that we’d exchanged the entire time, and now I wished that we could return to the uncomfortable silence.
“You’re telling me that you’ll be able to stand in that meeting and keep quiet no matter what Malarias says or does?”
His eyes flashed darkly. “I’ve had a great deal of practice with restraint, my love.”
“Don’t call me that!” My annoyance quickly faded when he didn’t respond. “I’m sorry. You sound like Alexis when you do that. And by all outward appearance you’re supposed to be my First Lieutenant, remember?”
He nodded and I wanted to kick myself for sounding like such a bitch. He’d been on his best behavior. He’d maintained a distance from me, been polite to Sam and patient with BJ. Although when it came to BJ I suspected that he enjoyed watching her antics. He also appeared to like when she handed him a favorite toy or climbed into his lap when she wanted her ‘Rannie’ time. Once I watched him hold her during an entire episode of Teletubbies, correcting her repeatedly when she mispronounced Dipsy’s name for the much easier to pronounce Dippy.
I blew out a long breath. He surprised me more and more and maybe I wasn’t giving him the credit he was due.
“Okay, Alexis. But you have to promise not to speak a word to Malarias.”
“My love- Kim, that is a promise that I can not make. I will not be bound by such a thing. You will have to trust me.”
After a moment I nodded. Yes, it looked as if I would.
“Fine. I trust you.”
After making sure that Alexis had selected the proper wardrobe from the clothing that Ran had arranged to be delivered for his use, we transported ourselves to the Council house.
Alexis appeared confident, without the slightest bit of anxiety at the prospect of facing his old nemesis.
When the other Council members saw him with me I could tell that they had to scramble to hide their surprise.
Monica’s nostrils flared slightly and her eyes narrowed in our direction. I wondered what that was about. Tony caught the look as well and I could tell that he was curious about it too.
Cyrene smoothly called the meeting to order while Malarias watched us with a cool, dispassionate expression. And now that I knew the depths of his treachery against our Council I was surprised that I had never detected how obvious it was that he despised not only me but us all.
The long Council table was draped in a pristine white tablecloth. The deadly bejeweled sword set at the ready. It would have been nice if this had been a simple meeting in which we would just give our reports and then quickly adjourn, but unfortunately there was a case that had to be heard by our Council. Again, We took our seats behind the table and Alexis stood dutifully behind me.
The case involved a young Vampire that had been captured on video surveillance teleporting into a public establishment. The video had gone viral and the young Vampire had been recognized. I felt sorry for the kid because it could have happened to any of us. But that is why there were rules against public teleportation. Only foolish Vampires did that these days when every odd thing that happened ended up on the internet.
Luckily, we were able to discredit the video as an obvious fabrication. And then someone paid a visit to the person that had leaked the video …
In the mean time, Vampire Charles had attempted to go Rogue but was captured by his Master within mere minutes. He was brought to the Council house and held in a cell until tonight’s meeting.
I use to wonder why more Vampires didn’t try to run. For the most part, they just stood in my office or before the Council awaiting their punishment. And then I learned how fruitless it was to run when your Master and your Sire and any other Vampire that you’ve shared blood with can trace your whereabouts.
“It was a mistake, Master!” The young Vampire pleaded to Malarias. His eyes then moved desperately to each member of the Council.
“Were you not instructed against this by your Sire?” Cyrene asked.
He nodded. “It’s not her fault, Master. She taught me well.” He was right to be afraid for his Sire. Master level Vampires were being severely punished for even the slightest transgressions. Several have lost their territories or have been entombed for things that no one had been punished for in the past.
Tony met the Vampire’s eyes. “Is there anything that you would like to add?” He didn’t like to prolong things and I knew that he wanted it to end. We all knew that there was nothing the Vampire could say. An important rule had been broken—one that could have placed the entire Vampire Nation at risk.
Young Vampire Charles spent a few moments pleading for his life as we silently counted down the seconds before one of us would rise, grab the sword from the table and put an end to it.
Monica stood. “Enough. Your begging is getting on my nerves.”
Damn, I thought. She was obviously i
n a bad mood.
The young Vampire cringed and then transported away. A split second later Monica disappeared after him. None of us moved. We’d seen the young ones do this often enough.
A split second later she returned, holding him suspended in the air by his throat. She had gone ‘hissy face’, her teeth longer than normal and her face etched in a monstrous scowl.
She suddenly brought the Vampire down to her mouth and ripped out his throat. Seconds later, young Vampire Charles was nothing but ash.
“Monica-” Tony began, his brow gathered in a frown.
“Leave it alone, Tony!” She snapped.
My mouth formed an O while a faint smile crossed Kaniji’s lips. I could tell that she thought the relationship had run its course.
I looked up at Alexis to get his reaction. But he was just staring at Monica.
With a flick of his wrist, Malarias cleaned away the blood and ash, and replaced the white tablecloth with one that wasn’t splattered by gore.
“Perhaps next time you can announce the verdict before the execution,” Malarias stated. He then waved his hand and removed the blood and ash that covered her.
Monica nodded her head. “Thank you Master.” Elders were powerful beings. If only I could do that with BJ’s dirty laundry …
I glanced up at Alexis, meaning to ask him if he could maybe give it a try later. I saw that he was glaring at Malarias. I nudged him gently and he met my eyes before returning the neutral expression to Ran’s face.
Malarias had us give our reports. He probed each piece of information we gave as if he wanted to confirm that we weren’t attempting to leave some important information unsaid. But long as he wasn’t searching our thoughts I could deal with his interrogation.
I felt Alexis stiffen when it was my turn to give my report and Malarias asked me a question that he didn’t ask anyone else; the number of humans in my family.
“I have six blood donors.”
“That was not my question.”
I gave Malarias a curious look. “I have a human mate and I have adopted a human child.”