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Jonathon would heal and be available to aid Valya, but he could use help, especially during the daytime.

“You miss your wolf friends,” he asked, changing the subject.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I miss them.”

Nicolae closed his eyes as Richelle watched, not sure what he was doing. After a moment he stretched out his arms and leaned his head back.

He brought his hands together creating a loud clap. The lights flickered for a moment, and the next thing she knew, a black fur ball came jumping against her almost knocking her from her seat.

* * * *

“Shadow?” she asked incredulously before throwing her arms around her black wolf. “Oh, Shadow!” She laughed and cried, not realizing how much she had missed her friend from the mountain.

“Richelle, loosen up. You’re choking me.”

“I’m sorry,”
she said as she let go to sit back and look at him. His wolflike eyes filled her with relief. He had been so brave to offer his blood to Valya, but then they had to leave before she had seen to his recovery.

“I’m sorry we left you the way we did.”

“It was necessary.”

“But still, after what you did…”

“It was my choice. My gift.”

She kissed his nose, happy to see him, and he retaliated by licking her face before she gave him another hug.

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“Tell me, Richelle. Are you happy?”

“I’m not sure I know what happy is, Shadow. But I think I may be,”
she replied mentally as she scratched behind his ears.

“Who is this one?”

“His name is Jonathon. He saved me. He is…my friend.”
Richelle stumbled over the words. She had never had a human friend before. Duncan was more like the codgerly grandfather from
Heidi
and Alma was the kindly grandmother. It was a unique sensation, the feelings she felt for Jonathon.

One she didn’t intend to lose. She directed her attention back to Nicolae.

“You never answered me. Is Jonathon going to be all right?”

“He will be fine. He will sleep for an hour and then, as humans say, he will be right as rain.”

Richelle sat up smiling, glad that her new friend would be all right, but still, she wouldn’t leave until she saw for herself.

“I don’t think that would be wise.”

Cocking her head to one side and raising a brow, she peered at Nicolae.

“You don’t think what would be wise?”

“Staying here. Valya awaits your return.”

“You know,” she reprimanded, “it isn’t polite to read other people’s thoughts. And don’t hand me that garbage about me ‘broadcasting’ them. I have been very careful about placing my mind shields.”

“My apologies, little warrior witch,” Nicolae replied, looking appropriately contrite at his actions. “Much like you with your gifts, I cannot always control my powers of telepathy, and I instinctively read those around me. That is a part of my nature
.
”

Richelle nodded in understanding. Until she met Valya, she fought against her
gifts
by avoiding the use of them, so she had little control.

Nicolae had lived for centuries where his gifts were accepted, as much a part of him as his unique hair and eye color. Embracing his gifts, he would use them as naturally as breathing, sleeping, and feeding.

“I will stay until I see for myself Jonathon is all right.” She stood and went into the living room with Shadow trailing close behind, the
tic-tic-tic
of his paws ticking like a clock indicating the passage of time.

Giving an exasperated sigh, Nicolae nodded.

“Whether mortal or Immortal, there is no sense in arguing with a woman once she has set her mind. Valya will have to wait a little longer.”

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197

* * * *

Luka’s roar could be heard throughout the tower. The Protectors had returned the young boy to the Tower of the Red Dragon, and Preacher had brought him before Luka to relate what had happened at the carnival.

Needless to say, he was not pleased.

“Imbeciles! Nine men and a boy couldn’t handle a female and a traitor!”

Preacher said nothing when the boy rushed forward and fell to his knees, groveling before Luka. All his boasting and crowing dissipated as he had to face Luka’s wrath.

“There was n-nothin’ we c-could do! They h-had h-help!” He cowered.

“Nothing you could do? The Immortals did not arrive until
after
the sun had set! You should have found her before nightfall!” he screeched. “I will not listen to your excuses!” He spun to face Preacher.

“And
you
should have known there was a spy in your midst,” he spat.

Preacher was terrified as Luka’s ice blue eyes changed to blood red, but to his credit, Preacher didn’t offer any explanations or excuses. He didn’t flinch from Luka’s rage.

Luka whirled and began flailing his arms, sending Vampyres and loose stone flying as he directed his rage onto others.

“Damn those Immortals!” A few of the Believers tried to escape the main room, only to find themselves dragged back and then thrown high in the air into the stone walls. He continued his rampage until most of his rage had been spent and he stood in the middle of the great hall, panting and heaving.

“What is your bidding, master?” Preacher dared to ask, risking Luka’s anger.

“Nothing’s changed! Find her, dammit! Send your followers into the city and find her! Kill anyone standing in your way, but I want Richelle found! Now!”

Preacher bowed at the waist as the Believers left the great hall, some limping after suffering Luka’s temper tantrum. Even the boy had tried to leave the hall, only to be stopped by two Vampyres blocking his path.

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“No…not you, boy,” Luka growled. He waved a hand toward the boy, and two minions brought him forward. Preacher looked on, knowing what was going to happen and knowing there was nothing he could do to stop it.

“You failed me, boy.” The boy’s eyes grew wide with fright as he began to whimper.

“All your puffing and crowing like a rooster, and yet you failed me.”

Luka pointed his finger at the boy, who began to twist and contort in pain, growing smaller and smaller. Feathers sprouted from his body, and his cries of pain and fear turned to squawking cackles until he was gone, transformed to a rooster. One of the Vampyres caught him and took him to Luka.

“Take him away,” he cooed as he stroked the back of the rooster. “Take him to the kitchen. Tell the cook I want roast chicken for tonight’s feast.”

The Vampyre did as he was commanded, the rooster screeching and flapping its wings, trying to escape as it was taken from the room. “As for the rest of you, begone!”

* * * *

Preacher and the remainder of the followers left the hall until only Terezia remained. As always, she was hauntingly beautiful, dressed in midnight blue, which emphasized her white skin and ebony hair. But Luka felt only disdain when he looked at her, sauntering her way across the room to stand before him. She was not what he wanted—she was not Richelle.

“Perhaps there is a better way we can work off your…negative energy.”

She ran her hand over his chest, the black silk brushing against her hand.

She brought up the other and removed the shirt from his body, admiring how his muscles rippled beneath her touch.

He grabbed her wrist, pulling it back behind him, and drew her body hard to him, her breasts squashed against his chest as she rubbed herself against him like a cat in heat. He could smell her arousal as his nostrils flared, but it did nothing to fire his loins.

He bent down and brutally kissed her, trying to ignite a flame that had long since been snuffed. Nothing. She was merely a vessel. He felt no passion, and his mind was filled with dark fantasies and how he would fulfill them with Richelle’s fresh blood and form.

Yet tonight, he needed to find release and Terezia would not be enough.

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“I need more,” he snarled.

“I thought you might. Pamela.”

Luka looked over and saw a blond Vampyress dressed in a matching shade of midnight blue come out from the shadows. While her angelic appearance had transformed into one of a sultry vixen, he recognized her as the young girl he had enjoyed so thoroughly the night before. So thoroughly, he was not aroused by the thought of taking both.

“I need
more
!” he emphasized, pulling on Terezia’s arm harder, causing her to wince.

“I have a brother.”

Luka’s head jerked up as Pamela spoke.
A brother, eh. Yes…that might
do nicely.
He released Terezia and stepped back, anticipation lighting his dead eyes.

“A brother.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“It has been several seasons since you last enjoyed an evening with a young man, hasn’t it, my love,” Terezia teased. “Just think…a young, virile man and the nightfall to take your pleasure.”

“Yesss,” he agreed, his tongue slithering out to lick his lips. “I would enjoy that immensely.” His mind began to spin at the possibilities.

“Of course, my lord,” Pamela continued, “he is not as innocent as I.”

“Are you saying he’s not a virgin, my dear?” His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

“Yes, my lord.”

He chuckled menacingly, his eyes growing large in excitement.

“Do not worry, my dear. For what I have in mind, he
is
a virgin.” He spun and began to climb the stairs to his chambers in the highest tower. “Go.

Be quick and bring him to my chambers upon your return.”

Terezia and Pamela smiled derisively as they soared upward to leave through an arched window. Luka’s crowing echoed through the great hall thinking on his evening’s pleasures when they returned.

* * * *

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Mia Bailey

It had been several hours since Nicolae had sent word to Valya. He could sense Valya’s impatience, so it was no wonder he rushed forward when Nicolae appeared with Richelle and Shadow.

Valya gathered Richelle in his arms, giving little notice to her companion from the mountain by her side. He kissed her with such passion she swooned and collapsed into his embrace. He picked her up gently, unwilling to break their kiss. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Valya carried her off to the privacy of the bathroom.

As Valya closed the door behind him, Nicolae looked down at the wolf staring up at him and whining.

“Don’t worry, my friend. He will not harm her. But still, as I believe he intends to take second blood this night, I suggest you find a quiet corner somewhere and I will aid you in your sleep. You will awake in the morning and be able to protect Richelle as Valya sleeps.”

As if in approval, Shadow walked over to the kitchen and lay down by the stove. Nicolae waved his hand and Shadow drifted seamlessly to sleep.

And Nicolae, content that Richelle was safe, returned to his lair, where he, too, could find sleep and fully restore his powers. He would need them as they faced Luka in the final battle.

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201

Valya placed Richelle on the vanity so she could sit up, but even so, he still had to bend down slightly to kiss her. And he planned on kissing her all night. Richelle was just as passionate in returning his kiss, and her hands rested on his waist, her thumbs looping into his waistband to steady herself.

He cupped her face in his hands, so afraid she would break beneath his heavy touch. Worse, he was afraid she would disappear again and he would lose her, forever. He broke their kiss and threaded his fingers up into her hair behind her ears and leaned his forehead against hers. His chest expanded as he took great gulps of air.

“Why didn’t you wait for me? Why did you go to the carnival alone?”

She was in no better shape, panting as she tried to catch her breath after his zealous kiss. It took her a few more moments before she could answer him.

“You know why.”

“The old woman.”

She nodded.

“I was hoping to find Madame Selene. She seemed to know so much about Immortals. About you. I needed to ask her something.”

“What did you need to ask her?”

“How I could recognize you after you take second blood.” She said it all in a rush. Pulling back he stared at her. Her cheeks turned red under his scrutiny.

“You said you needed time. Are you sure?” He had to ask. She had to be very, very sure. She raised her hands and dragged her fingertips along the backs of his hands to rest lightly around his wrists.

“I’m very sure. I love you, Valya. And I want to be with you. You are my life mate.”

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“Mio dusa,”
he exclaimed before his mouth crashed down upon hers.

Hot and insistent, his tongue parted her lips and delved into her mouth, thrusting and tasting as his blood raced through his veins.

Her arms went around his waist and her hands rested upon his back. He stepped between her legs, pulling her body toward him until her derriere rested on the edge of the vanity and he could step fully into the cradle of her thighs, his dick throbbing behind the zipper of his leather pants.

* * * *

She could feel it pressing against her thigh as he spread her wide, trying to get closer to her.
If he gets any closer, he’d be behind me.
But she didn’t say anything. She liked the way he felt, every part of him hard and ready as he flattened himself against her. His chest, his arms, his legs, his…cock. The man was built like steel as he did his best to wrap himself around her.

And his wickedly talented tongue! He was just as good at this kissing thing as he was when he kissed her…down there. Oh, my! Either way, the things he did with his tongue made her toes curl. Every part of her fluttered with desire to the point where she thought she would die if she couldn’t be with him. Oh, yes, she was sure.

His hands moved her head as he kissed her deeply, changing the angle of his approach to kiss her thoroughly, soundly. He slipped the leather jacket off to let it pool on the counter and then raised his hands to undo the bodice of her dress and stopped his kiss abruptly to look at her.