Blood Curse

14 Tasting Her

Her hips jolted up and she almost smacked him hard in the mouth. Ophelia reached down to him in apology, but his tongue flicked over her sensitive, throbbing nub, and she screamed.

All she could see of Ravenhunt was his dark, glittering eyes, his arched brows, his thick, untamed black hair.

Her hands flailed in desperation. It was so good. It must be more amazing than seeing heaven. She made fists and banged them against the rug. Her hips worked wildly, she couldn’t control them.

Touch was the most wonderful thing in the world.

Gently, slowly, something slid inside her wet . . . cunny. Ravenhunt’s fingers filled her. He thrust them in and out while he gave her clit so much glorious attention she was sobbing.

Tension coiled in her. Tighter, tighter, so stunningly tight . . .

She burst in a fierce, intense orgasm. Her screams could have been heard at Mrs. Darkwell’s. Delicious pleasure claimed her. She was beyond control, her body moving at the command of her climax. She shut her eyes tight, opened them wide.

“Oh Ravenhunt,” she gasped.

“Raven,” said his deep, hoarse voice.

He moved over her, so his legs were between her spread ones, and his arms bracketed her shoulders. “I used to be called Raven. It was always my nickname. Call me Raven—it was the name the people closest to me always used. I would love to hear you say it.”

“Raven,” she whispered. “What is your real name?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he rasped.

The weight pressed against her belly. It was his cock, trapped between them by the weight of his hips. She knew he was supporting much of his weight.

Even though she’d come, her body moved instinctively. Her hips moved, to seek to put his erect cock right against her clit.

Underneath him, her breasts pressed against his chest. Soft dark hairs tickled. Her nipples were squashed a bit by him, but it was a sensual feeling.

“I want to make love to you. I want to be deep inside you. Buried to the hilt. Do you want it, Felie?”

The harshly spoken words set her aflame. “Oooh, yes.”

“There shouldn’t be pain. I want to join with you, Felie.”

She’d almost forgotten she could touch him, she could use her hands. She ran them down his broad back, coasting over planes of firm muscle. Her inquisitive hands reached his naked bottom. He no longer wore trousers—he had quickly pulled off them and his boots. She touched bare skin. Cupped his taut rump. Felt the hard muscles flex as he lifted his hips.

Heavens, the tip of his huge cock touched her slick cunny. Her nether lips parted, letting him slide in just a bit.

“Oh!”

He captured her mouth in a sizzling kiss, tangled her tongue with his. Lots of luxurious play with his tongue. A kiss that made her heat like molten wax.

He thrust his hips forward, and his cock impaled her, sliding deep, filling her. She clutched his shoulder. It felt wonderful. She felt so full, so full of his hot, thick cock. He drew back, and she gasped as she felt the pull of his shaft inside her. Gracefully, he pushed forward again, and his cock went so deep his groin collided with her clit.

Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy. She moaned fiercely.

He went so deep, his skin sliding and teasing her skin. Each thrust teased a secret place inside that sent waves of delight over her. Each thrust banged her clit.

Ophelia gripped his shoulders. They moved together. She thrust, trying to match his strokes, seeking release.

She wrapped her legs around him. Touching him all over. Loving him—

Oh heavens!

Raven drew in a controlling breath. He bowed his head over her, fighting for control. Her cunny held him tight, squeezing him with slick heat. Her pussy pulsed around him. Her eyes were closed, her mouth strained as she moaned and cried out through her orgasm.

“Raven!” she cried. He thrust into her, driving into her climaxing quim.

“I love this . . . love you. Oh!”

Never had he heard those words gasped so desperately on a woman’s lips. His fiancée had never said it like that.

He slanted his mouth over her. Kissed her full, soft lips. Nuzzled her jaw as she sobbed and rocked against him. Her climax seemed endless.

He kissed her throat—

Suddenly, her scents overwhelmed him. The scent of her pussy, the sweetness of her skin, the richness of her blood, pumping like mad beneath her skin.

He pulled back.

“Your fangs are out.”

He ducked his head. Focused to make them retract. He’d already fed, damn it, while he was outside. There was no hunger in him.

His cock was still hard. She’d only come twice.

“It’s all right. I can control them.” He withdrew his cock, which ached as it left her hot cunny. “Three more, love. Let’s have them in bed.”

Four orgasms and she had drifted off to sleep.

Raven got up from the bed and lifted the sheet and counterpane, gently covering Ophelia with it. She lay on her side, curled up. He should wake her and give her one more orgasm and take her power—then turn her power over to Queen Jade to protect his sister.

Then he would die.

Or so Guidon said. There was something in his past that would destroy Ophelia’s love for him, and he couldn’t escape his fate of destruction unless she knew the truth and loved him in spite of it.

He had no idea what in hell it was.

Raven was tired of the world of demons, with its curses and spells and the fact every hope for escape and happiness came with either a destructive price or a devious catch.

He didn’t want to wake Ophelia, either. She’d endured hell earlier and survived. In one day she had learned he was a vampire, she had been taken prisoner and almost dissected. He was thankful she was able to sleep.

There was time—time for him to make her climax again. He could try taking her power tomorrow. It meant giving her five more orgasms tomorrow, but he was ready for the delicious challenge.

Outside, stars glittered against the black sky. It was night again, a whole day since Ophelia’s blood scent had tempted him beyond sanity and he’d had to run. Tonight, after he had gone out to see who watched his house, he’d hunted quickly in the stews for prey. In mere minutes, he’d found a brute of a man to feed on. It had taken away the ferocity of his hunger, allowing him to return to her.

But watching her sleep, Raven could picture her blood thrumming through her veins. He had to get out and feed again.

How could he ever dream of a future between them? He couldn’t make her into a vampire, and he couldn’t stay with her because he feared he would lose control and take her blood.

It didn’t matter if she loved him or if there was a reason in his past for her to hate him. He had to die, damn it.

Destruction was his only future.

Raven left her bedroom and dressed. He had to go and find prey—and while he was doing it, he was going to ensure his sister, Frederica, was still safe.

He left the house, locking it carefully, and passed through the streets fully dressed. He walked, but moving at such speed he was a blur. Mortal London moved past him with no clue he was there. Animals sensed him. Dogs barked and howled, horses shied, but their human masters chastised them with no idea the animals had better senses.

It took mere minutes to come to Mount Street, to find his old house. Candlelight blazed from the window, but there was no ball here tonight. His sister must be out.

Then his hearing picked up a soft, feminine sigh, the delicate sound of a girl being pleasurably caressed.

Hades.

Was that his sister? If the scoundrel from the ballroom was taking liberties, he would drink the blackguard’s blood and tear him limb from limb.

Vampires could move almost silently. Or they should be able to. Raven stepped on a fallen branch as he made his way around the shrubbery in the dark. It broke with a snap and a young woman gasped, “Someone’s there. Someone has followed me.”

“Wait here.” The masculine voice was filled with determination, but sounded young also.

Raven retreated into the shadows by the lilacs. Worry for his sister had made him clumsy.

“Hello?” The young man stepped out. Beneath his hat, his golden hair gleamed in the moonlight. The lad moved slowly, his eyes scanning around him. He looked like he expected danger, a battle. But he should suspect someone like her cousin, the new marquis, or a governess might have stumbled on them.

Raven saw what the young man held in his hand. The lad’s fingers gripped tight around the end of a wooden stake, and he held it at shoulder height, ready to plunge.

Raven reeled back on his heels, stunned.

A vampire hunter? What in Hades was Frederica doing with a young vampire slayer? And why did the man believe that whoever Frederica thought was following her was the undead?

Guilt and horror hit Raven. Had she somehow learned he had been turned into a vampire?

It broke his heart. He would never hurt his sister, yet what else could she believe but that he was a monster? Even as a mortal man, he’d been a killer, though that had been sanctioned by war. But if she now knew what he was, she must know he was violent and vicious and she must be terrified of him.

Raven wanted to know exactly what was going on. He could not have the boyish vampire slayer catch him. Using his powers, he entered the young man’s mind. There was nothing here. It was an animal that broke a branch. You found nothing. Now return to her.

The young man stopped and stepped back from the lilacs, a dazed look on his face. Raven studied the young man. Golden hair beneath his hat. A handsome face, but a young one. The face looked suspiciously clean-shaven, as if the lad had barely begun to sport facial hair. Moonlight illuminated large blue eyes that looked blank for several seconds. Then the lad shook his head and lowered his stake. He dropped it into the pocket of his greatcoat.

The young slayer’s clothes were those of a gentleman, Raven noted, as the boy crept back to Frederica. “There was nothing there. I couldn’t find anything. It must have been an animal that broke a branch. That must be what we heard.”

It was easy to plant suggestions in the lad’s mind. However, it did not please Raven that Frederica had moved into the boy’s embrace. Couldn’t she see how daft the lad had to be? Raven had felt no resistance in the boy’s mind to his suggestions.

“I’m so afraid,” Frederica whispered, though Raven could easily hear her muted voice.

“The vampire came to my room last night,” she continued, clutching the young man’s arm. “He was a giant bat! It was horrible. Terrifying! He tried to get in through my window.”

Raven’s blood ran cold. That vampire had not been him. One of his brethren was trying to attack his sister?

It had to be a minion of Queen Jade.

He still had time to do as the bitch of a vampire queen had asked and take Ophelia’s power. Jade had no right to frighten his sister.

Then he saw something that froze him on the spot. That stunned him to his gut. It would have slammed into his soul, if he’d had one.

His slender, young sister stood on tiptoe and locked her arms around the vampire slayer’s neck. Her lips softened, and she cocked her head like a woman accustomed to being kissed. The lad’s arms went around her.

Raven could have handled witnessing a sweet kiss, a small peck.

The boy gave Frederica a long, steamy, intimate French kiss. Raven had one glimpse of their tongues dueling before he staggered back and looked away. Frederica’s sigh of delight was like a spike through his heart.

How could his sister have fallen in love with a vampire slayer?

Raven waited in the dark, his heart thumping. He hated that he could not go near her.

He wanted to destroy the man who was now kissing Frederica and caressing her body with his hands. But did he have any right to destroy a man she loved?

The kiss ended on a fluttering feminine sigh and a lusty male groan.

Raven’s hands fisted.

“I should go in now,” she whispered. “In case I am missed.”

“Be careful, my love,” the slayer murmured. “Keep your windows locked. Lay the garlic flowers along them and wear them around your neck while you sleep. Do not open your doors or windows for anyone. I am going to hunt that vampire tonight.”

They shared a hasty kiss, then Frederica turned and slipped through the shadows toward the house. Raven watched her, to make sure she got inside safely. So did the slayer.

“Who’s there?” It was the boy, moving carefully through the dark, searching the stretches of blackness.

Raven knew he hadn’t made a sound. The boy was not as much of an idiot as he thought. The lad could sense him. He tried to send thoughts into the slayer’s head. Now he found resistance as he tried to break into the young man’s mind and plant thoughts. Apparently without Frederica there, the boy had much more control over his wits.

He did not want to battle with Frederica’s paramour. He would be too tempted to rip the slayer’s head off.

Then the boy’s face popped around a shrub and they stared face-to-face. Familiar blue eyes gaped at him, and Raven’s heart lurched as he recognized the boy’s features.

Ophelia. The young vampire slayer looked exactly like her, except his hair was a darker gold. The vampire hunter courting his sister must be Ophelia’s brother.

Shock made Raven slow, made him stand in place longer than he normally would. Suddenly, the boy’s arm arced and the stake plunged toward Raven’s heart. He twisted to escape and the wooden point struck his right side. It drove in, tearing his clothing, biting slightly into his chest. With a soundless roar, he jerked back.

Normally he would fight a vampire hunter. One less slayer meant he was safer, after all.

But he couldn’t break Frederica’s heart.

The slayer had let the stake drop and had pulled out another. “I’m going to destroy you, you blood-drinking plague. Your kind took everything from me. My parents. My oldest brother. My sister.”

“What in Hades are you talking about? Vampires killed your parents? She never told me that.” Raven paced around the lad as his gut clenched. He thought of Guidon’s words. To look back over the men he had assassinated for Jade.

“Who never told you what? Who are you talking about?” In anger and fear, the lad’s voice rose to a squeak.

Raven didn’t answer.

He’d preyed on mortals, but he had never assassinated one for Jade.

He could not be responsible for the deaths of Ophelia’s family. With a lunge forward at vampiric speed, Raven grabbed the lad’s wrist. He tried to see inside the boy’s thoughts, but what he saw wasn’t in the slayer’s head. It was a scene from his past, a scene buried deep inside his mind. Ophelia’s brother froze, the stake clutched in his hand, and Raven saw the truth flashing through his mind . . .

It felt real. As if he was reliving it.

Jade drew her fangs from his neck and sat up on top of him. She had forced him down using her strength. Her servants had chained him to her bed. Now she licked his blood from her lips. “I have work for you,” she said smoothly.

Her razor-sharp fingernails scratched his chest, adding more wounds to those that already crisscrossed his bare flesh. Jade slicked her pink tongue over the furrows of parted skin, slurping up the blood.

“There is a demon you must kill for me. He is a vampire and warlock crossbreed. Very lethal to our kind and very dangerous. He must be destroyed.”

Those had been the days when he had obeyed her every command, but he had needed to know more about his foe.

Jade licked her way down his body toward his cock. It was soft now, and the shaft and head were covered in healing wounds from her fangs and her nails.

“He was sired by a vampire who had studied the dark arts of magic,” she purred as she made harsh bites in his flesh. “He has studied witchcraft and is about to acquire an enormous power and could destroy both vampires and mortals. He could have power equivalent to a vampire queen, and we cannot let that happen. You are an assassin. You must do this for me; it is your duty to protect me. But I do want you—” She hesitated. “I want you to take care. I do not want to lose you.”

For a moment he’d thought she cared about him.

But she had smiled with cruel pleasure. “None of my other playmates can take as much punishment and pain as you.”

With that, she had released him so he could do his duty. As she’d said, he was an assassin. He carried out his task swiftly and efficiently.

To destroy a warlock was difficult. Raven was only a vampire and couldn’t combat spells. Jade had helped him by giving him spells to combat some of the magic the warlocks would use to destroy him. With her protective incantations, he could not be destroyed by anything they conjured, like fire, lightning, or vicious beasts. But he could be killed by any demons they summoned.

It had been a hell of a battle. He had destroyed six demons before the vampire-warlock, who had been young and inexperienced with spells, collapsed in exhaustion, unable to summon any more magic.

Raven had gone for his throat. The crossbreed’s gaze had fixed on him as he took the last drops of blood. Golden hair. Blue eyes, large blue eyes—

He looked like this man, who was Ophelia’s brother.

The man he’d killed must have been her eldest brother.

Raven released his grip on her younger brother, and it broke the spell that held the young man transfixed.

“Ophelia told you!” the slayer shouted. “That’s what you mean. You are the monster who killed my sister?”

“Your sister is alive.” Raven snapped it out before he had time to think. She was supposed to be hidden.

This time, the brother grabbed him. “Where is she? Take me to her. I’ll spare your existence, vampire, if you take me to her.”

At any other time he would have laughed. He was in control here.

But this knowledge of what he’d done left him stunned.

This was something she could never forgive him for. She could never love him. This would break her heart.

Without a love given and received, Ophelia would die when he took her power. He could not take her power, which meant he could not satisfy Jade.

He shifted with speed, so he grabbed her brother by the shoulders. Before the boy could stake him, he threw the lad across the lawn. With a howl, the slayer landed in a lilac bush. Unharmed, but it gave Raven time to turn and run.

He was running for his house, for his sister. He had to get to her to protect her. It would terrify her to discover what he was, but he had to keep her safe from Jade—

A woman’s scream split through his skull.

Raven ran toward his house, moving at preternatural speed. Gravel sprayed as he rushed up the drive like a hurricane’s wind. He could no longer see the bats in the sky. The damned things were gone.

His heart hammered with fear. “Frederica!” he shouted.

A jolt of pink lightning flew out from the doorway of the house, struck him in the chest, and sent him flying back down the stairs. Gravel bit into his back as he sprawled on the drive. He jumped to his feet.

Jade stood in the front of his former home. She floated a few inches above the foyer floor. Her long gown rippled with the night’s breeze, and her hair swayed and danced around her. A seductive smile played on her full lips, which were rouged to a deep scarlet.

“We have taken your sister,” she said softly.

Raven ran at her, ready to tear her apart, moving so fast a human would not see him. But it was no match for Jade’s speed. She easily danced away from his grasping hands. She laughed lightly. Then she lifted her hand, and a bolt of pink light flew from her hand. It compressed into a thin, powerful beam that shot right through his chest below his heart.

The pain drove him to his knees. The wound began to heal over as he forced his weakened body up from the ground. “Let her go, damn you.”

“I no longer trust you,” she said smoothly, her voice cold. “You have been stalling and I have waited long enough. I have taken your sister as a hostage. You must take Lady Ophelia’s power now, if you wish to free your sister.”

“I cannot, damn it,” he roared. “There is a chance it would kill Ophelia. I need more time to know for certain.”

He knew what he had done to hurt her—he had killed her brother. If she forgave him for that, she could survive . . . hell, how could she forgive him? It was impossible.

“You have until midnight tomorrow night to make your choice,” Jade commanded. “Either take her power and kill her, or watch your sister die.”

With that, Jade threw bolts of sizzling light and energy at him from both hands, knocking him onto his arse.

When Raven struggled back onto his feet, his chest smouldered where his clothes had burned away, and the vampire queen was gone.