Poisonous Pleasure (21 page)

“Marcella, I don’t know. The urges to take someone’s soul hasn’t even hit me yet. It could be because of the one I hold, but it scares me to think I’ll have to go through with the act. What do I do with them? You couldn’t pay me enough to go to Samael.”

Opening her mouth, she became immobile while the thought hit her. “You store them. Hold on to them and guard them with your life. You have to protect them, Jason, from going into the wrong hands. Someday maybe you can deliver them personally to where they need to go, but until that time comes just…wait.”

“Is there something you should be telling me? Is it a memory?”

“No, just a nagging feeling.” Marcella stared at the ground, dazed while she tried processing her emotions and thoughts.

“Well, I think your idea is a very good one. Handing over someone’s soul is big. I’m not sure I’d trust anyone to do it but myself. So, enough of this. What are we going to do about pretty boy, vampire?”

“Great, what is it with you guys? Dominic calls you loverboy. Now you’re going to call Ambrose, pretty boy. I don’t understand the two of you at all. What is Dominic considered as?”

“Definitely, the bad boy. But Ambrose, look at him, Marcy. He’s pretty. Not very manly at all.”

“Are you serious? You’re just jealous, Jason. I happen to think he’s very manly, and beautiful, if you must know. Now leave him alone.”

“That’s my point. Beautiful, like maybe he should be on the front of a magazine. It’s freaky to look at, up close.”

“No it’s not, and magazine, yes. I wonder if he’d pose in
Playgirl
?” Marcella walked away leaving Jason sucking in air. At the sound she smiled and headed for the wall. Ambrose smiled back at her, obviously listening to their conversation.

“If I let you out, will you promise not to run away or attack me? I want your word, Ambrose. I trust you. Now I need you to trust me.”

“There are things I need to do. People will be looking for me. You don’t understand. I’m a master vampire. Upon my disappearance, my lover will try to find me. Gwendolyn’s got quite a temper, you know?”

“Leave your lover to me. Do you promise or not?”

“I’ve got responsibilities, and my own servants to look after.”

“Ambrose, if you didn’t turn up, who would take over?”

“Gwen, of course. She’s the next powerful vampire, then Sebastian, after her.”

“Do you trust your lover to take care of things?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then so do I. Your servants and responsibilities will be fine. If they’re not, you can blame me. The only thing I ask is that you give me more time with you. Can you do that? Everyone needs a vacation every once in awhile. When was the last time you got to get away from your everyday life?”

“Longer than you know. I have to admit it does feel good not have the stress of everything being thrown at me.”

Jason groaned. “Just stay. It would make Marcy happy.”

Marcella looked over at her boyfriend, smiling, and turned back to Ambrose. “So you’ll stay? Just for awhile? That’s all I ask.”

“A few days, that’s all I can spare.”

Dropping the wall completely, Marcy ran and threw herself into his arms. “This is going to be great. You’ll see. Jason, Dom, and I will take you out. It’ll be like old times before I left, right Jason?”

“Yeah, sure. If you think he can hang.”

“Oh, I can
hang.
That won’t be a problem.”

Jason smiled. “Yeah, we’ll see.” He turned from her and Ambrose, walking toward the bed. “Hey Marcy, how much sleep do you think demon’s need, anyway?”

“Don’t even think about waking him. I took a lot of energy. You weren’t here to buffer the blow.”

Ambrose nodded toward Dominic. “How did you take his energy? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“How much do you know about collectors?” Marcy pulled Ambrose to the small bed that used to be behind the walls.

“I know you can change your form, make things appear, even teleport to different places. Truly, I’m not sure on the details. I’ve never given the myth much thought. Gwyn though, she knows more about that stuff, but even I’m not sure how much she’d know when it came to this. We don’t really consider collectors a threat.”

Marcella turned to Jason and thought of where to begin. “Well, you’re right on all of those. Jason and I can do everything you said. We can also control the elements—water, air, fire, and, earth. We change into every supernatural that exists. My biggest problem as of now is the succubus. The majority of the time when my body reacts…sexually, she comes. Well, she’s me, but the need to take energy and drain a man of his sperm takes over everything. I could kill a regular human. Dominic is extremely powerful and well, you see him right now.”

“But couldn’t you just change into something else?”

Marcella laughed. “Oh trust me, I’ve tried that. It’ll prolong everything for so long, but the succubus wins or the pain becomes unbearable, and I give in. Either way, usually both Jason and Dominic have to be there so neither one ends up like that.” She gestured to the bed.

“And did this happen because of me?”

“Typical, you would think that,” Jason spat out.

“No, he’s right. It was because of him. Ambrose, your bite was…well, no words can really describe it. From the moment you sank you fangs in me I fought to take control of my body. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to continue. We might have to bring someone in to feed you.”

“So you didn’t like the way it made you feel?”

“No, I did. Too much. But we both saw how hard it was to control ourselves. I just think it would be rushing if we tempted temptation.”

Ambrose looked down toward the bed. “I’ve never reacted to someone’s blood that way before. I’m sorry, but maybe you’re right. Next time, I make no promise. I was stupid to even consider without really tasting you first.”

“How was it different than when I bite you?”

Marcella turned to Jason. “You want to find out? I’m sure Ambrose wouldn’t mind.”

“No way,” Jason said, turning his back toward them. “Well, maybe for a little bit.” He said turning back around. “If I can see how you do it then I’m sure I can duplicate the reaction.”

“You really think so?” Ambrose asked curiously.

“I know so. Make it quick and on the forearm. I don’t want you close to my neck.”

Marcella walked to both of them and led Jason to the bed while she laid on top of him. “Ambrose, give it everything you’ve got. I can’t wait to see what he thinks about this.”

“But why are you laying on me?”

“Oh, you’re going to want me here, trust me.” Marcella smiled.

Ambrose grabbed his arm, and knelt on the floor. She quickly rested her hand down the back of the vampire’s shirt. Any touch was better than no touch in her opinion. And she wanted to feel them both. Easing her lips to Jason’s, she felt his body jump at Ambrose’s bite and come to life. Hungrily, he kissed her, moving his hand under the robe to grip her ass.

“Fuck!” he groaned loudly. The rumbling that went through his body vibrated her chest.

The hardness of his cock pushed into her pussy through his jeans as he frantically tried to get them undone. Marcella let him battle with them, noticing his mind had to be so cluttered that he didn’t even think about making them disappear with his powers.

“Enough, Ambrose. I think he gets the picture.”

The vampire came up panting. “Damn you both taste so good. I think you could promise me your blood and I’d stay with you forever.”

“You’re right,” Jason said, holding Marcella down to his chest tightly. “There are no words for the way that feels. I’m sorry about attacking you, but I don’t know how you managed not to tear each other apart. There would be no way I could blame you for losing control with him. Shit, if you weren’t here I’d hate to imagine what I’d do.”

Marcy laughed and kissed his lips. “But I was here, so don’t stress.”

“I’m going to learn to do that if it’s the last thing I manage to accomplish. Damn, talk about explosive.” Jason groaned, laughing. “How long does the effect last because everything in me is begging to take Marcella out of this room.”

Ambrose laughed. “How do you think I feel? This is the second time today.”

“How long?” Jason groaned.

“Until you get your needs met or you finish it off yourself.”

Marcella’s eyes widened at Ambrose’s statement. “You mean to tell me that you’ve been in pain this long and now you’ve made it worse? Why didn’t you say anything? Your curse is as bad as my succubus. Tell me what to do. Would you like me to summon your lover?”

“No, someone needs to be there with the others. She can’t leave. I’ll be fine.”

“No, you won’t be fine. Jason?”

“Don’t look at me! There’s nothing I can do for him.”

“That’s not what I meant. I was asking for your help. What can we do to help both of you out?”

They both stared at her until she caught there meaning and stood from the bed. “I thought we already discussed this. Ambrose and I don’t need to rush. And maybe I’m not in the mood anymore. Dominic did a wonderful job of satisfying me.”

“Yes, I have no doubt he did.” Jason circled around her slowly. A mischievous smile crossed his mouth the moment just before he attacked. Marcella burst out laughing and dodged his wide form, just in time.

“You give it away every time, Jason. What were you hoping to accomplish by tackling me down? Were you going to kiss me into submission?”

He laughed, beginning to circle around her again. “It used to work all the time.”

“Yes, but now isn’t that time, Jason. You couldn’t catch me anyway.”

“Oh no?” Jason caught her in his arms, and they fell to the floor. Lips eased against hers while he pulled her close against his body. Marcella could feel herself getting sucked into the need she began to feel.

“Jason. The time for Ambrose and me isn’t right now. I’m sorry, but either you both can find someone else or you’re going to have to wait. I’m not ready.”

A groan came from Jason’s throat. “You know I won’t be with anyone but you. Guess I’m waiting. What’s your plan, Ambrose?”

Marcella looked back and forth between them. “All right. So who’s up for a game of Monopoly?”

Both of the men looked at her like she’d lost her mind. Raising her eyebrow she returned their look. “Monopoly or Candyland, you pick, but it will be one, and you both
will
play. Dominic needs his rest and I’m not leaving him alone.”

Jason ran his fingers through his hair. “Couldn’t we play Poker or Gin? How about Go Fish? Anything but a board game. I’ll fall asleep for sure.”

“How about quarters?”

Marcella and Jason turned to Ambrose. “You drink?” They both spoke at the same time.

“Of course. I may be a vampire, but I can go out in the daylight. That should tell you right there that all the stereotypes aren’t true. It may take me a lot to get drunk, but I can throw back a few. It may not taste very good, but even when I was human, alcohol never truly did.”

“Jason, have you tried drinking in collector form?”

“No, let’s try it. It’ll be more of a study that actually having fun. But… Marcella, you don’t drink. Are you saying you’re going to try tonight?”

“I’ve drunk liquor before, Jason.”

“That one time at Maria’s party doesn’t count. You threw up after three shots.”

Marcella glared at him and manifested a table filled with every alcohol she could ever remember hearing about. She looked around and smiled at him.

“I bet I won’t have to drink half as much as you do tonight. You’re getting your ass kicked for that comment about my three drinks. That was really low, Jason. If you remember correctly, the next morning I magically caught the flu. So, I’m assuming my sickness had more to do with that than the Crown.”

“I’m sorry, but tonight, you’re getting so wasted. I rock at quarters.” Jason raised his hands toward a small oak table he made appear and smiled. “Let’s begin. I’ll go first.”

“Ladies first.” Marcella grabbed the quarter out of his hand and tossed it down, watching it bounce in the shot glass. Raising her eyebrow at Jason, she gestured with her hand. He missed and she died laughing. “Drink up,
babe
.”

A look of uncertainty passed his face. “That’s not fair. No manipulating the energy to make it go in.”

With a quick jerk of his hand, Jason took the shot, removed the quarter from the glass, and sucked in air. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” He shook his head back and forth quickly making grunting sounds. “Holy shit, supernatural or not, that shit still burns like hell.”

Silver flashed in the air and liquid splashed on the table with a flick of Ambrose’s wrist. Marcella watched the quarter go in the glass. Holding her own coin she looked at her target, but didn’t stare too long knowing she could indeed easily make it go in if she wanted to. A clinking sound echoed through the room as it hit the rim.

“Drink up, my beautiful collector,” Ambrose purred.

Marcella sighed. “Well, shit.”

Closing her eyes, she threw back the tequila. Fire raced down her throat leaving a blazing path searing its way to her stomach. Tears collected in her eyes the moment she opened them.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?”

Her gaze shot to Jason who just laughed. Only one word registered through her head, water. She needed something to kill the fire resting at the back of her throat. Upon thought of what she needed the glass rose to her lips. By the time she stopped, Ambrose was making her drink again.

After the twelfth shot, Marcy could hardly concentrate on the target anymore. Gravity kept pulling her to the side. It wasn’t long before they began teasing her, asking her why she continued to sway.

“All right, Marce, just toss it in.”

“Jason, do…not call me that.” The words grew harder and harder for her to get passed her tongue with every minute.

“Just throw the quarter. You’ve been staring at the glass for five minutes already.”

She opened her mouth to argue but quickly shut it. Had she really taken that long? As soon as the thought popped into her head it disappeared just as fast. Who cared? She blinked heavily and tossed the coin in. Liquid splashed out the side while silver floated to the bottom.