When The Fur Flies (21 page)

The idea repelled him as his gaze met and locked on to her eyes. Ah, here was her best feature. Eyes slightly slanted like a cat, a feature known of Witches. Hers were the color of green moss. Moss like that which now grew over the meadows of his very first home in Ireland. He nearly shook himself to dispel the memory of walking bare foot in those meadows. His own eyes, the color of the earth, narrowed as they glared at her. She didn’t flinch, didn’t move one muscle as he clearly studied her.

***

“You’ve come at the wrong moment in time, Keeper.” His velvety voice was low and dark, meant to intimidate and terrify her. He was the advertising icon for the tall, dark, and deadly male. Her skin tingled in an elemental warning as his dark eyes watched her. This male had visited her dreams so many times over the years that she felt as if she knew him like a childhood friend. Only the Vampire Elder standing before her was not the friendly sort.

“You should not be here.” Her own voice was soft. She dropped her hands to cover her stomach in an attempt to calm the butterflies as she confidently looked at him.

“You can’t protect them.” His lips pulled back, his white teeth and sharp fangs glowing in the light of the full moon. His sneer was meant to cower her before his overpowering strength. Instead, the small lift of his lips made her see the rare beauty in the male form before her. Yes, he would rip her head off if she referred to him as beautiful, but that was what he was. His dark hair was just the right length, short and well-trimmed, yet long enough to curl slightly at his ears. Her fingers itched with the unwanted need to burrow in the thick silk at the back of his head. Alexa inhaled deeply, instantly regretting the action when the smell of sage and dark, rich earth filled her senses with a lusty need she couldn’t ignore. Goddess help her, he smelled absolutely edible!

While his enraged eyes flashed red with the demon’s fire of his rage, she saw the chocolate depths beneath the flames. There was a hunger in those dark depths, one that made her want to appease the ache he held inside. It was crazy, she was crazy! He was a Vampire, bloodthirsty and evil, yet even those sharp, white teeth and fangs tempted her to bare her neck to his hungry kiss. His deep hiss jolted her out of her trance. Shock at her wanton thoughts and the heat burning between her legs had her shaking her head. Allison was behind her, unprotected from the ferocity of the creature before her, yet all she wanted was to touch him, taste him. She pushed those primitive needs back and straightened her spine to do what she must.

“You know I will. I won’t have you disturb them.” Alexa sensed their happiness, knew they were lost in each other’s arms, as was right. They lay several yards behind her unprotected and completely unaware of the dangers the beast before her presented. All that stood between them and the darkly handsome Elder, she would give her life to keep them safe.

***

“I will not let you pass.” Steel laced her seductive voice that ran over him like a satin hand. He shivered despite himself. Deep down, beneath the rage and loneliness Wilhelm constantly felt a small part of him seeking something lost to him. The male part of him sat up and took notice of her feminine strength. His interest was piqued by her defiance in the face of his aggression. This woman would not back down until he was forced to drain her dry or snap that delicate-looking neck, whichever came first.

“As if you could stop me.” He took a slow step toward her, testing her resolve to defend her kin. Not one hair moved on her dark head as she continued to dare him with those moss-green cat’s eyes.

“I have stopped you. Elaina Dunt is safe. She has renounced your hold on her. The Coven is aware of this and gives her their protection.” She didn’t move one muscle as he hissed under his breath. Turning from her he stalked a safe distance away. His broad back was tight beneath the long leather coat. His hand clenched in the back of his hair as his anger threatened to erupt. Vampires were known for their quick tempers, and he was known for possessing one even worse. Once angered he found it hard to hold back from lashing out, no matter who got in his way. He was ancient and powerful. She couldn’t be sure that she could take him, but that didn’t stop her from keeping up a perfect front.

“You have done this!” He swung back toward her, eyes narrowed as they burned with red fire in the irises.

“Blame me if you must. I can take your hatred and accept the revenge you so clearly intend. Leave the others out of this, Wilhelm.”

“Do not call me by name, Witch!” His hand sliced at her through the air before him. “I vow revenge upon you and those you hold dear. If it takes me the rest of my existence, I will see you pay for what you have stolen from me.”

“You cannot lose what was never yours to begin with.” She took a deep breath, moving her hands, palms out, to implore his understanding. “Elaina was not meant for you. You must admit this and open your mind and heart to the Goddess. There might yet be one who will come to you willingly.”

“Are you kidding?” His mouth gaped open in disbelief. “Your Goddess doesn’t know my mind, and I don’t possess a heart. I’m a cursed creature, walking alone among humans who fear me not. They make movies to mock my existence and my agony. Those who should bow before me do not because my hands are bound when I would show the world my rage. I’m tied by a piece of parchment I mistakenly signed centuries ago. A Treaty which holds our kinds to the shadows. We are forced to hide in the earth and feed off the weak among them.” He shook his head as ice-cold fury took him over. The demon within howled to be let loose upon her. “You stand there spouting advice on how I should slink off and wait for a mate to come to me willingly?” He threw back his head with a humorless laugh. “I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the warm veins of your little cousin. I will drain her dry in front of both you and her Alpha!” That got her attention. For the small second alarm and fear flashed on her face as she drew a shuddering breath. So, the stoic little Keeper had feelings after all. What fun. His eyes narrowed as he moved in for the kill. “What better time to act with them naked and loving each other out in the open? I can taste her blood already.”

***

Alexa dug her nails into her palms as she watched him rant. He meant every threat he was tossing at her. He would wait patiently in the dark until the precise moment when Allison was at her most vulnerable. Then he would strike, and not even with the entire Wolven pack between him and his prey would he be stopped. Pain flashed annoyingly in her gut as she watched him with a feeling of loss. She would not stand by and watch him destroy her cousin’s happiness. She couldn’t.

“I see your fear, Keeper. Don’t worry. I fully intend to take your blood last,” he promised softly.

“Take me now.” Her words were softly spoken. He tilted his head, his brows angled over his dark brown eyes as he watched her silently.

“What did you say?”

“I said, take me.” She held his gaze boldly when all others cowered before him in terror. He turned his head and ran his gaze over her body once more.

“Very little remains in this world to surprise me. Not even Elaina’s defection surprised me. Her efforts to escape, though a bit denting to my ego, were completely expected. Yet, here is the strongest Witch, the Keeper of the Treaty, no less, standing before me, offering herself in payment for my loss. Now, that confounds me. You would come to me willingly. Be my Poppet for the rest of your existence for what? Safety for your cousin and her Wolf?” His gaze moved dangerously to her throat as she swallowed the cry of denial that threatened to escape. His dark head jerked back as she raised her chin, exposing the skin of her vulnerable throat to him. It was the move of a willing Poppet to a Master, and she knew it.

“I will take Elaina’s place willingly.” She watched him as he took a hasty step toward her, so deep was his surprise. “In exchange for my hand, you will pledge to protect my family with your last moment. No one will touch them. Allison and her pack will come to no harm. The Treaty remains as it is.” She hoped she knew what she was doing.

Her stomach clenched, shooting a blinding pain straight through her. She’d become used to the constant throb, but lately the stomach aches had become agony. She was dying slowly. Perhaps giving her life to the vicious male before her was a kinder way to leave the world. At least she would be ensuring the survival of her closest relation. She’d taken the responsibility of looking after Allison since the day her parents died. This was just her last sacrifice for the woman who was not only her cousin, but her best friend. Not a bad way of going out, she decided.

***

Wilhelm Chambers raised steepled hands to his lips, considering her offer seriously. “You would no longer be the Keeper. Another would take your place.” She nodded her head once. Wilhelm stepped toward her, yet she remained where she was, standing still as a tree. He stopped directly in front of her, close enough to get a good whiff of her scent. She was sweet with the scent of rose oil; below that he could smell her blood rushing through her veins. There was strength here within this slight woman that intrigued him. She would be a prize to hold, and here in lay the secret advantage. She would be his to take his revenge upon as he saw fit. No one would object to his chosen treatment of his wife. Also she was an even better candidate for stealing the Blessed Book of Rites. No women had gone through the torture and hell that the High Priest put her through to test her strength of will. A little more abuse from him and she’d be an easy addition to Helen’s home for abused women.

Excitement made his body harden in a most unpleasant way as his gaze landed upon the glowing swells of her cleavage. He would take pleasure in owning this woman, in showing her who owned her. Revenge would be sweet. He heard her breath quicken as he stepped around her. She was a tempting piece of flesh, even to an Elder whose appetite for the flesh had lessened over the long years. He hadn’t gone without female companionship; many of their Poppets offered themselves up to him regularly, yet none made him harden just by their increased breathing.

Her backside was just as enticing as the front he admitted reluctantly. Still, he would make her suffer as no other before he took her to his bedchamber. He stepped back in front of her. Her green eyes looked at him boldly as he stopped before her. “I would have a blood promise from you.”

***

Alexa panicked for a second as she silently prayed to the Goddess to show her the way. A warm breeze blew toward her in answer. It carried on it a feeling of comfort. The Goddess wrapped her in the warmth of the wind as the ground below her feet softened. She sighed as she nodded up at him. Her hand went to the athame strapped to her thigh beneath her dress. She felt his cautious gaze upon her as she unwrapped the bandage on her left hand. Her eyes never left his as she slowly slid the blade across the already-tender flesh of her palm. His fangs elongated as his nostrils filled with the scent of her blood.

Alexa lifted her hand to him, her dark blood dripping down her wrist and arm as she faced him with a courage she was far from feeling. “I, Alexa Carver, vow to tie my life to yours, Wilhelm Chambers. Goddess shine down upon our joining with her blessing. As of this night, I willingly give myself into your care in exchange for the protection of those who share my blood.” She felt her magic fluctuate, increasing alarmingly as she continued. “I also vow that if any of them come to harm through you or your kind, then Goddess as my witness, I will be your destruction.” Her head dropped a bit in silent defeat. “As I will it, so mote it be.”

Wilhelm grabbed her wrist before she could pull it back. His dark eyes burned red as he sneered at her. “You will be begging me to end your life within the week, Keeper.” His teeth flashed, long and sharp over her hand. “Then I will have my revenge.” He dropped his mouth to lick the cut on her palm.

Alexa’s breath caught as the vision took her at the touch of his hot tongue.

***

She was naked and hot. Her body writhing in pain upon a big bed with red satin sheets that were soft to the touch. She wanted to cry out, wanted to scream with the agony of death, yet she could not. He was there watching her from the shadows of the darkened room. She could smell his masculine scent mixed with mother Earth and sage. The scent of him washed over her body like a lover’s caress. She reached out blindly, whether to keep him back from her or to pull him forward, she wasn’t sure.

He came to her, then. The mattress sinking slightly as he sat beside her to lean over her. She closed her eyes with a sigh as his palm cupped her cheek softly. They flew open as his thumb grazed her lower lip. He moved then, his eyes hooded as he turned her head to the side, exposing her neck to him. Her pulse jumped as he brushed a soft kiss against her jugular. Then she cried out as his sharp teeth sank deep into her neck. Pain and pleasure whipped through her body with emotions and sensations she couldn’t handle. She held his head to her throat, sighing in pleasure as he wrapped his arms around her possessively. Heat and hunger flooded her system as he gently took from her. The more he took, the more her body wanted his. Slowly he pulled back to look down at her with a mix of emotions swirling within the chocolate depths of his eyes. There was sexual hunger, possession, and love.

She reached for him, threading her fingers through silken hair to pull his mouth down to hers. Sensations exploded through her, rocking her to her toes as he took control of the kiss. She wanted it to go on forever, but he pulled back, triumph and male arrogance in the dominant smile he aimed down at her. In the empty depths of his soulless eyes she saw both love and passion. Her breath caught in horror as she found the reflected emotions belonged solely to her.

***

The vision left her as abruptly as it came, making her pull her hand back as she stumbled backward. She would have fallen if his hand hadn’t whipped out to capture her waist. Her hands landed on his chest as she stared up at him with panic in her green eyes.

“Goddess, no!” She cried out in a plea. He gave her a cruel smile as he bent his dark head closer to her.