Lure (11 page)

Those full lips met mine and I let him finish washing and rinsing me. As he pulled the shower open, we both froze. Hunter’s bloody body sat on the floor directly across from the opened bathroom door, his forearms resting on his knees as he glared toward us. The pain and hurt on his face was evident. My breath caught and I felt heaviness pull at my heart—the same heart that had just belonged to Marko.

Him.
Yes…how could I have forgotten about my human?

Chapter 16

Hunter

There were no words for the amount of anger and betrayal running through me. I couldn’t blame Tessa, although a part of me unwillingly did. She wasn’t in her right mind and from the look on her face, she somewhat regretted what she’d done. Or did she? Fuck, I wasn’t sure. What I knew for a fact was Marko didn’t regret shit.

He grabbed a robe from the wall, sliding it on her and wrapping a towel around his waist as he led her right past me toward the bed. I pushed to stand, following. One of my hands went to my side while the other went to the hilt of the dagger.

“If you think of using that, I will kill you where you stand.” Marko wasn’t even facing me, but he sensed my actions and I couldn’t stand it. Nothing was working out here. Not my relationship with Tessa and not what I felt I should have been doing to these monsters. No one was to be trusted. How I’d even let myself open up to Marko about anything was beyond me. How was I starting to like him when he continued to hurt me by manipulating Tessa?

“How could you?” I stopped at the end of the bed as he pulled back the blankets, helping Tessa climb in. Still, she stared at me, uneasily. Hurt. God, she was hurting? I was fucking dying here. She was meant to be mine. I’d gone through hell just to try to keep Sayer away from her. I was supposed to have her this way. It was the reason I convinced her of the change. But I didn’t have her.
He did
. Again.

“Where’s Marie?” Marko pulled the blankets up and straightened, facing me.

“Dead. I fucking killed the bitch before she could poison me with her blood. Same with the big guy. They’re dead. The power of prayer is one hell of a thing. It’ll stop a vampire in its tracks, making them easy targets. Want to see?”

I grabbed the rosary from my pocket, dangling it in the air as I cocked my head to the side and stepped closer. A growl poured from Marko’s throat and gravity left me as I crashed into the far wall from the force he threw.

Air refused to fill my lungs, but I managed to regain my footing as I hunched over, raising the rosary back up. A groan came from my mouth and Tessa slammed her fist into Marko’s arm, speaking so fast in French, I couldn’t understand. I caught my breath, bringing myself to stand. My side was aflame from the gashes and I knew they were still bleeding, but the bandages were helping. Just not enough. I was lightheaded. Weak.

“She was mine,” I yelled. “She was mine and you took her from me again! But I’m not leaving. I’m not running away from what belongs to me. Tessa will
not
be your concubine. I won’t allow it. If I die trying to prevent it from happening, then so be it. At least I’ll die knowing I gave it everything I had trying to stop her from making the biggest mistake of her life.”

“Hunter.” Tessa rose from the bed and Marko went to grab her arm, but she swatted his touch away. “You’re hurt. I…hurt you.”

I stayed quiet as I watched her features pull in.

“I hurt you…a lot and I’m sorry. I don’t remember. I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

“I know.” Sounds left me again as I limped to the bed and collapsed at the end. My head went down and I couldn’t stop the burning of my eyes. “He loves you. I love you. And you love us both. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Your vampire is out of control and I don’t know how to handle that.”

“Then allow me,” Marko ground out. “I will spend the rest of my life taking care of her. I’ll make her happy, I promise you.”

My glare couldn’t have been any more full of hate as I met his stare. “Shut…the fuck…up!”

Tessa walked between us and came to me. As I looked up, I tried to sit up straight. With my wounds, I couldn’t. Nausea plagued me and stars danced before my eyes. Her small hand cupped my face and I closed my eyes, moving into the touch, regardless of being so pissed at her. Or more, that I should fear her.

“Let me heal you. Yes?” Her features twisted while I watched her search for the words. “I’ll make you my slave, okay?”

A sarcastic laugh vibrated my chest and my head shook as I opened my eyes. “You want me as your slave when you’ve already consented to be his concubine,
despite
the fact that all hell’s going to break loose when Sayer finds out? Not to mention, I never know who I’m getting with you. You’re so unstable.”

“Sayer?” she repeated the name while her eyes scanned the room. “Do I…know him? I do, I think.”

“Jesus,” I snapped my head to Marko, who was moving more toward the bottom of the bed. “Do you see what you’ve done? She doesn’t even know who Sayer is right now and you fucked her? How is that consensual?”

Marko’s lips peeled back, revealing fangs. “I assure you, it was consensual. Tessa is more herself right now than she’ll ever be. You’re bleeding like a stuck pig and she hasn’t once tried to attack you, has she?”

I blinked hard, looking back at her. “No. She hasn’t.”

“Nor will she. My blood helps her. She can continue to be like this if she stays with me and keeps the regular feedings. I’m making her better. Stronger. Her English is getting clearer, too. She’s growing into who she’s meant to be with me.”

“You just want her to continue so you can finalize the bond all over again.” There was no mistaking my rage. I clenched the rosary tighter as he stared at me.

“I told you I wanted Tessa. Of course, I want to be bonded with her. And she wants it, too. I know you saw her give me her vein. Deep down, she wants
me
. Apparently, she still wants you as her slave.” He paused. “I’m willing to let her keep you if that’s what she chooses. But only as her friend and occasional supplier. Nothing more. I think that’s a term you might find to your liking more than you want to admit—especially after what you did to her.”

All I could do was project my anger at him as Tessa lowered to her knees between my legs and rested her head in my lap. I was stroking the length of her hair before I realized it. My mind was taking me back to the one thing I couldn’t think about. Her screams began to echo in my ears and I could almost taste her pussy on my tongue all over again. Jesus, I’d never live that down.

“Don’t listen, Hunter. I make decisions for my life. No one,” she paused, meeting his eyes, “will tell me what to do. Not even…him.”

I laughed, raising my eyebrow to Marko. His face may have been devoid of emotion, but I knew he was hurt…and pissed. He couldn’t control her any more than Sayer. Tessa would rule. She’d show them all who their true leader was. But what would that mean for the two of us? I wasn’t even sure I could be with her physically anymore. I loved her, but sexually, I couldn’t even let myself go there.

“Will you be his concubine?” I brought her face up until she was looking at me. The black tint was almost gone now, revealing the green shade of her eyes below. They were so light, I couldn’t help but take a few extra seconds to stare. God, she was beautiful. My question twisted my insides even more than the damage her claws had caused. I was torn on what I should do or feel.

“I think…I should. Why?” Her head shook. “I feel for him. Here.” Small fingers pressed over her chest. “But…” she trailed off, obviously confused.

“You have doubt. That means you have to wait. Do not rush into a decision you’re not sure of. You heard his terms. He will not share your love. Not physically, and I doubt emotionally. You will lose me if you accept his offer. It’s unfair for me to be subjected to that sort of life. You know this, don’t you?”

A quick nod had her agreeing. “You be my slave. He
will accept
my
terms.”

Marko shifted behind her. He wanted to do something, say something, but he didn’t. The longer I took in her face, the more I let her words sink in. Tessa put herself over her leader. She knew what she was meant to do. It was in her blood, in her mind, even when nothing else was. She always knew. And she’d do it. I had no doubts. So was I safe giving myself to her that way? Would she love me and let me heal enough to try to love her again, like we were meant to? Or…was I doomed?
No.
I had to get over this. When she remembered what I did, surely she would understand. Sayer had given me his blood. I was drugged. Out of my mind when I’d forced my face between her legs. I had to try to have faith.

“I’ll be your slave, but we should start now. While you’re still somewhat stable.”

Tessa rose, sitting in my lap. Marko crossing his arms over his chest had me glancing up, but more so, I could watch him from my peripheral vision. Slowly, Tessa brought up her arm, staring down at the robe as if she were trying to feel out how to go about this.

“Cut,” I whispered.

“Yes,” she agreed. “You first. Just in case.” Shallow breaths left her as she pushed the sleeve of the robe up and stared down at her forearm. “If I…change and hurt you…” her eyes came back to meet mine, “kill me. Kill me…and leave. No looking back. No regret.” She moved her finger to the side of my head. “Remember this. If I ever become too much and become a…monster…kill me. Promise. I can’t…” A sniffle ended her words and I couldn’t turn away from the shock of what I was seeing. If I’d been unsure of who Tessa was in the moment, her words all but erased any doubt. This was
my
Tessa. The real Tessa.

My hands went to her face and I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers. Wetness dampened my cheeks and I pulled back, wiping her tears away. “You’ve been so strong. I knew you were still here. You have my word. But let’s focus on us. Let’s start our future.”

Tessa nodded, turning to Marko and switching to French. “If I change, you will stop me from hurting him.”

Marko didn’t say a word as he gave her a hard look. I knew he didn’t like what was about to happen.

“If you do not…” the threat was clear in her eyes.

“You will what?” he said in English through clenched teeth. “You will kill me?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head and continuing. “There are worse ways to hurt someone than ending their life. I’ll make you suffer for an eternity. And even after that.” Her French flowed faster with every word and by the time she finished, Marko’s anger was finally shining prominently on his features. He’d thought he had her. That Tessa had been all his. He was wrong. He may have been able to trap her in the moment, but she would always come back to her true self. I just prayed the real Tessa would hurry up and stay for good.

“Don’t threaten me, ma minette.” Marko didn’t have to say more. As the two kept each other’s eye contact, Tessa let her nail slice down her arm. Still, she stared at him as she let it rise to me. I gripped around her wrist, keeping my eyes on Marko as I brought the blood to my lips. Metallic flavor swept over my tongue and I forced myself to swallow. When the blood hit my throat, I literally felt the life within the source rush through my system with a speed that had me gripping her tighter. My pulse spiked with the force and the need to take in more warped my mind, leaving me sucking harder. But this time was different. She was sweeter. Deliciously addicting.

I opened my mouth wider, running my tongue over the surface of the wound while she moaned. Within seconds, tightening clutched my stomach and I broke away, sucking in air. Tessa was looking at me now, her eyes already darkening with her vampire. As she began to straddle me, I let her. I wanted her on me, suddenly needed her want of me, more than I needed anything.

“My turn,” she whispered.

My arm was lifted and I knew she was going to cut me, too. I jerked out of her hold, clutching the back of her neck and yanking her face into my neck. I should have been afraid, but I didn’t fucking care about anything outside of what I knew she’d give me—what taunted me since Sayer sank his own weapons into me. And I didn’t have to wait. Fangs didn’t hesitate to pierce my skin. Death didn’t even present as a possibility. All I knew was needing her bite.

“God,” I breathed out, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her pussy closer to me. At the rotation of her hips, my hand shoved under the robe to grab her ass. Fingers laced in my hair and my head was jerked back as I was met with Marko’s evil glare.

“Hands off,” he growled.

“Fuck you. Sit back and take a seat. Watch me fuck her like I watched you.”

Nails extended and I couldn’t move as his hand blurred toward me. In slow motion, the claws got closer to my face, but I couldn’t stop him. Couldn’t think to react fast enough. Out of nowhere, Tessa’s hand shot out, catching his wrist. She was gone from me now. Off my lap and shoving her hands into his chest as she pushed him further into the room. French filled the room and I fought to decipher the language through my fog.

“You dare try to harm what is mine?” Her hands connected over his pecs with brutal force, making him stagger back.

“
You
are mine,” he corrected. “Mine! Not his. Not Sayer’s. Mine!”

“Wrong. I am both of yours now. At least through one tie. Both. Accept.” She shoved him again, but his feet grounded and he stayed in place. “Accept,” she said more forcefully.

Her arms shot up to push him again when she drew in, crashing to her knees. I felt the spasms the moment she did. They cramped in my stomach worse than anything I’d ever experienced before. My insides twisted and pulled until I was sure I’d be sick. I could feel my side tingling and I knew her blood was healing me, but I didn’t have the strength to check. I fell back on the bed and my lids heavily went down.