Eternal Flame (Guardians, Book One) by Valerie Twombly (18 page)

“Your body’s on fire right now. Don’t fight it. Just think how wonderful you would feel sliding your cock deep inside me. Be warned, I will make your body crave mine until you beg me to mate with you. And beg me, you will.” She slid her body off of his and walked from the room, her round, firm ass taunting to be touched as she made her exit.

* * * *

Cassie had left with Seth and Baal only a few hours ago and now made a quick mental check of her faculties.
I must have a brain tumor.
It was the only logical explanation she could come up with for why she stood in the wilds of Romania with a vampire and a demon.

She shifted her backpack, thankful she was healthy and fit. They currently made their way along an old abandoned mining road. The plan: to trek as far into the forest as they could before sundown then make camp for the night. She knew the camp was only for her benefit. These two men had excellent night vision and the stamina of a teenager. She, on the other hand, would have to rest.

“So doll, what do you do in the human world to fritter away your day?” Baal asked.

She laughed, glad the demon had come along. At least, he was someone to talk to. “I work as a nurse at a children’s hospital. What does a demon do to pass the time?” Not sure, she actually wanted to know.

He raised a brow then flashed a white smile. “You’re a brave girl for asking. I actually own a casino in Las Vegas. I prefer the nightlife. You know—good food, wine and women, not necessarily in that order.”

She rolled her eyes. Baal looked more like he should be one of the strippers, no doubt his body would put them all to shame. “A casino, huh? It sounds fascinating. So tell me more about these slave trades.”

He continued to walk ahead, not looking at her. “My species is the most powerful of the demons. Ironic, isn’t it, that we are also the most captured. Our abilities are sought by other immortals. Often we are used as sex slaves, our services purchased by unsuspecting humans or other immortals.” He waggled his brows. “We are excellent lovers.”

Color rose in her cheeks, so she stopped, pulled out her water bottle, and took a swig. “That’s terrible. I mean: that they use your people for slavery.”

There was sadness in his eyes. “Yes, my sister was kidnapped five years ago. She was only sixteen at the time. I have never given up searching for her.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I pray that you find her.”

He smiled. “Thank you. You should also pray for those who took her. When I find Lileta, her captor’s death will be slow and painful.”

She had no doubt this man was capable of unspeakable acts.

Seth slid in next to her. “Do you need a break, Cassie?”

Baal slapped his thigh and gave a snort. “Whoa, he speaks.”

She touched her chest. These were the first words Seth had spoken since they left Vandeldor. “Uh no, I’m fine but thanks for asking.”

“Very well then,” he replied and continued walking.

She returned her bottle to the side of her hip and turned to Baal. “Is he always this quiet?”

“'Fraid so, doll. Didn’t anyone tell you about his abilities?”

Her head shook. “No. What ability is that?”

He moved closer and lowered his voice. Not that it mattered. Cassie understood vampires had exceptional hearing. “When he drinks blood, he acquires the memories of his meal. Normally, he can purge them from his system, but since the curse, he has been unable to do so. Those memories have been with him for three hundred years. Can you imagine?”

Her jaw dropped. “No wonder he walks around like a black cloud hangs over him.” She couldn’t conceive what it must be like. Part of her gained a new respect for the quiet man.

“Makes me wonder how much longer he can cope.” He shook his head. “It’s a pity, the fucking curse Drayos placed on them.” He looked Cassie in the eyes. “Maybe they’ll all get lucky and find their mates. I think it will be their only salvation.”

She furrowed her brows. “I don’t understand. If they are warriors, then why would their gods allow this to happen?”

“Who knows why the gods make the decisions they do. It is what it is, and we are left to deal with the mess. Zarek pulls the interference card, says it’s not good for evolution. Bastard!”

“Why are you whispering?”

His brows shot up to his hairline. “Really? I don’t want the prick knowing I’m talking about him. He just might show up.”

She gave a mental shudder, Zarek didn’t sound like anyone she wanted to meet anytime soon. “But, isn’t he your god also?”
I’m so confused by these ‘gods’ they keep referring to.

“Yes, doll, doesn’t mean I have to worship the ground he walks on.”

“Oh.”

Chapter Sixteen

Marcus’s thoughts wandered back to Cassie. He should have stayed away from her but had been weak. The connection between them was stronger than he ever imagined, much stronger than the match with Eliza. He wondered why Zarek decided to choose a human over one of his own kind.

He certainly didn’t deserve a woman like Cassie and feared he would be overcome by the curse, his soul possessed by pure evil. He’d become nothing more than a blood junkie, taking for the unadulterated pleasure like a heroin addict.

Time passed at a snail’s pace, only indicated by Eliza entering the room to torture him with her sexual exploits. So far he’d been able to put his mind on other matters, keeping his body’s reaction to her a non-issue. How much longer he could do that, he didn’t know. He prayed for as long as necessary. His skin was now hyper sensitive to touch, and his cock ached for release. The term blue balls held a whole new meaning. Something he wouldn’t wish on even his worst enemy.

He scanned the room, looked for anything to aid him in escaping this hell hole. He found nothing.

Then there was the hunger, he couldn’t remember the last time he had food or blood. His belly ached. Every time Eliza entered the room, he thought of tasting her, in more ways than one.
Maybe
I
should
just
mate
with
her
and
be
done
with
it
. Part of him felt he owed her. Hell, he did owe her. There was no question about it. However, visions of Cassie would dance through his mind. He wouldn’t give up on them.

He tried again to free his wrists from the shackles and failed. There was no escape, weakness plagued him. The door opened, and Eliza entered for another round of pleasure. His fangs dropped at the sight of her, if she got close enough, he’d drain her.

“Marcus, darling. I feel your hunger,” she cooed while she climbed on top of him. “We must really do something about that.” Her fangs extended and she bit into her wrist, letting droplets of precious blood splatter onto his stomach. “Oh silly me, I am such a klutz. Hmmm, the smell of blood has made me hungry. Maria!”

A young girl appeared in the doorway. He guessed her to be no more than eighteen. She wore a peach-colored bra and matching thong, the color complemented her olive skin. “Yes, my lady?”

“Come closer, Maria.”

The girl obeyed and moved toward the bed. Was Eliza actually going to let him feast on the girl? He licked his lips in anticipation. His belly rumbled, begging to be filled. Once Maria stood beside the bed, Eliza reached up and moved the girl's raven locks away from her neck.

“Doesn’t she look lovely, Marcus?” Eliza slipped Maria’s bra straps past her shoulders and exposed her firm, round breasts. “Maria, I’m hungry.”

The girl moved to sit on the edge of the bed, facing Marcus. Eliza caressed the girl’s breasts, causing her to moan softly.
Sonuvabitch
. She really is going to do this in front of him, again!

“You want her, don’t you?”

Yes, yes, he did. In that instant, his cock grew stiff, and his stomach growled.
Shit!
Why
now?
Why did he become aroused for this young girl and not for Eliza? Damn his body for betraying him.

“Marcus, you are aroused for her.” Of course, she would notice, sitting on his lap. Her eyes turned into molten lava as she leaned over and sank her fangs into the girl’s neck.

Maria gasped while Eliza drank and continued to massage the girl’s breasts. Marcus inhaled the coppery scent, his gaze fixed on the blood that trickled down her neck. The girl continued to moan in pleasure until she screamed out in ecstasy. Eliza should have stopped but didn’t, she took deeper pulls.

“Eliza, what the fuck are you doing? Stop!” He fought against his restraints to no avail. He heard Maria’s heart slowing, her breaths became shallow. Eliza was killing her. Again he pulled, tried to focus all his energy on freeing himself. The restraints held.
Helpless, I’m fucking helpless to stop her. Zarek! Where the fuck are you?

Eliza took one last draw of blood then released Maria to fall into a heap on the floor. He looked at the innocent girl, and his vision glazed over. If he could have reached Eliza at that moment, he would have killed her again. “You bitch! We are guardians, sworn to protect.”

She licked the remaining blood from her lips as she moved off of him. “You are a guardian, not I.” She walked toward the door and called out to someone standing outside. A demon entered, grabbed Maria by the arm, and dragged her from the room. Marcus would kill him too for disrespecting the poor girl.

“What the fuck are you?”

She picked at her red fingernails. “Really, darling, you’re so moody.” She sighed, her hands dropping to her side. “You chose to be a warrior rather than a husband. You left me to wait rather than bond with me.”

He stared at her in disbelief. “I am a warrior, and I thought you were too young. I didn’t want to saddle you with a husband and possible children at such a young age.”

She sneered. “Thanks to your lack of attention, I gave my heart to another. Yes, I loved Drayos, and I intend to avenge his death. You will suffer for what you did to me.” She wrapped her fingers around his chin and squeezed. Her nails bit into his flesh, sending warm liquid running down his chin. “As far as the girl you killed that day? It was Drayos’s magic, he used another and made her look like me."

He watched her leave the room, vowing under his breath that one way or another she would pay. He had once loved the woman, but now he was filled with hatred. So much hatred, bile burned his throat. How could someone so innocent turn so ugly? No, she wanted to blame him for what happened, but her heart had been turned black long ago. He knew guilt should plague him. No doubt Drayos turned her against her own people. However, he refused to feel it.

He had to find a way to free himself then slaughter her. He thought of Aidyn. The man had suffered enough. How would he react to the knowledge his sister lived? He would be happy beyond belief, but when he learned who she truly was, it would crush him. No, he would kill the bitch before his friend ever learned the truth. Somehow, he had to hide this from him.

* * * *

Seth decided to make camp near a small lake located off the abandoned logging road. Cassie sat on a fallen tree near the water’s edge. She pulled off the hiking boots and placed her tired, aching feet into the water. Her face turned up toward the sky as a sigh escaped, and she swore there was a hiss when her feet hit the water.

“May I take your backpack for you?”

She jumped, surprised by Seth's soundless approach from behind. So eager to get her boots off, she'd forgotten she even wore a pack.

“Thank you. That would be wonderful.” She reached for the clip and undid the cinch around her waist. Seth helped pull the pack down her arms and off her back. She was in excellent shape, but the day's hiking had worn her out.

He gave her a sidelong glance. “You need to come up by the fire, Cassie. It is not safe down here.”

She looked behind her. Baal already had a fire going and stood with a sword perched over his shoulder. Her posture went rigid. Something wasn’t right. “What’s going on, Seth?”

“Draki passed through here, probably two days ago.”

“Is that bad?”
What a stupid question, of course it is.
She was well aware of the possibility a conflict between the vampires and dragons could break out anytime.

“I would rather not cross paths with them.” Seth glanced up at the darkening sky as if searching for something. “No doubt if they are in the area, there is a good chance Odage is as well.” He leveled his eyes on her. “It is very dangerous here. You need to try and make contact with Marcus tonight.”

“Okay.” She didn’t want to tell him yet. She’d been trying, without success.

She grabbed her boots and followed Seth to camp. Hungry and tired, her feet tangled beneath her, almost sending her headfirst to the ground. If not for Seth grabbing her arm, she would have done a nosedive in the dirt.

A faint smile crossed her lips. “Thanks.”

He tipped his head then escorted her to the fire. She took a seat on her sleeping bag, glad to be on her ass instead of her feet. Upon reaching into her backpack, she pulled out a bottle of water and a chicken pesto MRE. She frowned, hoping the container of food didn’t taste like cardboard.

Seth sat across from her. “Where’s Baal?”

The guardian looked up from poking the fire. “Hunting.”

“Oh. I’m probably going to regret this, but what do demons eat exactly?”

He replied in his usual monotone voice. “Raw meat.”

Her nose wrinkled. “What about you, did you bring your bag of blood?” She knew he was able to eat food but needed blood to keep his strength.

He stopped poking at the fire but kept his eyes on the ground. “No, it must be fresh. I thought Marcus explained that to you.” He must have sensed her fear. “Do not worry. I ate well before we left. I will be good for a week or more.”

Cassie gave a sigh of relief.
Thank god.
“So tell me more about the slave trades. How do they capture such powerful demons?” She and Baal had never finished their conversation on the subject, and she was curious about it.

He continued to poke at the fire, never making eye contact with her. “They place a band of silver on them. It weakens them considerably. They are then placed on the auction block for sale.”