Vaewolf: Damn the Darkness: The Prophecy's Promise (Hearts of Darkness Book 3) (14 page)

Why was she here? What did she expect to accomplish in town? Then he recalled her unusual curiosity about Ramon and her comments about Dylan’s upcoming meeting with him. When he had time he should scrutinize her interest and his background. Ramon Delavega wasn’t merely the sympathetic New Orleans detective his demeanor indicated. He was definitely
Other
. But what? Dylan still hadn’t figured that out, and now Simone was equally as inquisitive.

Chapter Seventeen

Awakening

When the sun rose, Dylan still experienced the ancient weariness usually signaling daylight. Concerns clouded his thoughts so much lately, he hadn’t been able to sleep. So it was a good thing he didn’t need much to keep going. Juggling too many balls in the air even for him could wear a body out. Yesterday, sometime between making love to Caitlin and trying to keep her distracted, Dylan began worrying about security.

Were all the demons accounted for?

Had Ramon checked out everyone within the locale who’d been invited? By everyone, the women had included all the vampire covens, the wolf packs in the vicinity, as well as the witch covens, and the shifters they knew about.

If he was going to be any help to Caitlin, he better gather his control. Dylan had a feeling it was time for the butterfly to spread her wings.

He entered the cool damp mausoleum and crept down the short flight of moss covered steps into the special crypt Niccolai created years ago. The musty odor had to be almost as old as he was. He paused. Then he heard it—within the silence of the tomb. Caitlin’s heartbeat picked up, her beat matching his own. She was just awakening when he neared the entrance and opened the door.

The shopping bags he carried contained all he would need to create the romantic atmosphere he hoped would ease her mind. He put them down and lit the scented candles, first. Cassie, Tanya, and Simone all insisted Caitlin would appreciate them along with the rest of the items they’d prepared for her. The last stop he made before he returned to the cemetery was to a lingerie shop—his own idea—where he picked out items suited to Caitlin. The idea of her wearing the scanty little silk and lace he chose for her appealed to him and brought his fangs to the surface.

He released a shallow breath and placed the fragrant multi-colored roses, two dozen of them, in the crystal vase by her side. No matter what the colors signified, Caitlin would represent them all in his future. He brought the richest red wine he could find, and the women swore the dark chocolate they recommended would not disappoint. Some vampires continued to enjoy eating after their change, especially the newly made females. So far, Caitlin’s appetite was as healthy as ever.

Besides, he imagined the gesture couldn’t hurt the precarious position he’d face when she remembered what he’d done to put her to sleep. Chocolate might help, and if that didn’t work...there was always the sex. Seduction was his specialty now since all he thought about was pleasing her. While he made love to her, he’d keep her mind occupied so her fear to the closed in space wouldn’t rise and ruin the pleasure he planned to bring her.

She looked so beautiful in the candle light with hair draped to her waist and her body unfolding as if she was a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis. Caitlin reached high above her head, stretching and exposing her rounded voluptuous curves in utter splendor.

All her senses would be highly sensitive, so he stripped down to bare skin and slipped beside her and pulled up the silk sheets to cover them. As soon as they touched, her body responded, molding against his, seeking out more of his flesh to cling to. Opening her arms wide to embrace him, she wrapped her legs around his hips as he covered her with his body and kissed her awake.

Gently brushing her lips with his, he encouraged her to open her mouth with his tongue and demanded entrance, taking her breath and her heat within him.

He responded to her more deeply than he ever had, and was prepared to satisfy her in every way, giving her whatever he could, whatever she needed from him. Between the blood lust and the sexual lust, she would be ravenous when she fully awakened, and he would be ready to provide for her. First, she would feed from him, then later, after he made love to her and after he bribed her with chocolate and wine, he would feed from her. For extra endurance, the donors had satisfied his blood needs these past few days, preparing him for her hunger.

He gripped her hair, suddenly noticing subtle physical changes since her transformation. Her hair had grown as if she’d been entombed for years. Her shoulder length hair was thicker, long pale-blonde curls.

Caitlin half opened her eyes, not truly focused, not fully awake. Dylan watched as she opened them wider and recognized him. Her eyes had taken on a much more angular, almond shape—the shape of a fae’s eyes. Her ancestor’s DNA hadn’t been in question, but the barely perceptible changes in her appearance now, confirmed her heritage. Her skin had a new, almost iridescent quality to it, and the flowery scent surrounding her had an aphrodisiac-like effect upon him. As if he needed anything more to be hopelessly attracted to his life-mate.

He kissed his way up the long line of her neck, to her ears, and felt the smile on his lips broaden. Her tiny ears had developed a tiny point at the top, lending an endearing pixie like fragility to her already porcelain magical appearance. She would hate it. But her angelic like beauty didn’t fool him, the long sinewy muscles beneath her skin rippled with power—power she would have to learn to wield and control.

As their eyes met, he noted Caitlin’s pupils dilated fully, so much so the irises were invisible, and what little white was left was riddled with tiny red capillaries brought on from the stress of the metamorphosis. Her fangs dropped into place and became exposed beyond her full tempting lips. The sooner she fed, the faster she’d heal, and the sooner they could resume their lives together.

Dylan lifted his chin to expose his neck and sliced open his skin to force her to feed. Her mouth opened and her fangs fully dropped into place when she saw the blood. She smelled it and heard his pulse beat. She wouldn’t be able to resist. He didn’t want her to restrain her vampire soul. He wanted her to release it—lose all control—see what power she’d gained.

With surprising strength, the tiny woman flipped Dylan to his back and straddled him. Strands of her hair lifted into the air and curled like vines around his wrists, more caressed his body as she leaned in to take his throat.

“Oh, lass,” Dylan said with a chuckle as she mounted him, “hold on. This is going to be one long, hard ride, luv.” Then he closed his eyes and gave up control to his life-mate.

~~~~

When Caitlin opened her eyes, Dylan was beneath her grinning like an idiot. Both of them and the bed were covered in some sort of shimmering dust. “What’s so funny? And what’s with all this glitter?”

“Ach, there’s nothing humorous at all about a powerful berserker being overpowered by a wee faery like you. And that isn’t glitter. It’s fairy dust—an aphrodisiac—the result of a fae’s orgasm when extremely satisfied. It also indicates the fae wants more. He licked some off his lips. “If ingested, I’ll be ready for you immediately.”

“Like the little blue pill?”

“Better. No nasty side effects.”

He hadn’t moved a muscle, but when he licked her lips, Caitlin felt him harden inside her. Tentacles of heat curled within her, then reached out through her entire body, from her scalp to the tips of her fingers, toes, and to the long curling strands of her hair which seemed to have a mind of their own.

“You don’t say? Okay. I should assume the self-satisfied grin on your face is the result of pride. You think you’re the “thing” with your ability to bring out the fairy dust, hmm? Such masculine prowess?” She trailed a fingernail down his chest.

“Well, there’s that, but there’s also...”

“What?”

“Ye ravaged me.” Dylan released a deep, heavy laugh, and Caitlin let her gaze rise to the ceiling.

“I ravaged
ye
?” She imitated the brogue quite well she thought. “Like a mere slip of a lass such as I could take advantage of one such as ye.”

“I didn’t say ye took advantage. I said ye ravaged me... Quite thoroughly too, I might add. Fae magic. Caitlin, love...your hair...look at it.”

She realized he was still immobilized by the vining strands of blonde tendrils wrapped around his arms and wrists like steel cables. He was right. He couldn’t move.

“I did this?” She relaxed and her hair unwound, releasing him and relaxing in curly coils about her torso. She tilted her head to one side, closely inspecting the end of a lock of her hair and smiled. The idea of having a magical power amused her.

“Aye, ye performed fae magic,” he said, “and I loved it.” He cupped her face in his hands and drew her lips toward his. She let him because she wanted to feel his strength. But he pulled back. “You’re still hungry, lass?”

When their lips were a breath apart, she said, “Yes, and so are you. I can sense the hunger within you.” She wanted to feed him and taste him—but this time she would enjoy letting him take control—enjoy feeling the weight of him between her thighs, and again, the thickness of him within her.

Caitlin rolled over, holding him still within her embrace as he moved with her like a second skin. “Kiss me, Dylan. It’s your turn to ravish me.”

Chapter Eighteen

The Party

“Aren’t you the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen?” Dylan’s words sounded thick with desire.

“Thank you. You’re looking pretty spiffy yourself, all handsome and GQ’d up in that black tux.” She straightened his tie and pecked him on the lips. “I feel very upper-class tonight, and you look better than anyone I could conjure.”

“Here,” he pulled out a piece of jewelry from his pocket, “this is for you.

“Oh, Dylan, I don’t know what to say. It’s magnificent. Thank you.”

“Wear it always. I had the witches cast a protection spell on it for you. Cassie said to stop by next week, and she’ll give you a few lessons on calling the elements.”

“Wicked awesome! I’ve always thought I had a little witch in me.”

The necklace was obviously Celtic and old, no doubt worn by some druid queen. The stone in the center was three inches across and of an unknown variety, but the colors swirled and it was beautiful.

“What stone is this?” she asked, touched by his generosity. She fingered the swirling colors moving through the gem.

“We call it a mind stone.”

“I’ve never heard of one. Old?”

“Very.” He gave a half smile. “Some call it Moonstone, but this one has rare properties. It is said a Celtic Lord gave it to a Druid Priestess to prove his love. He’d taken it in payment for saving the daughter of the Fae King. Myth claims only a mystic of sorts can wear it and bring out the stone’s true qualities. It has to be a match to the owner.” Tilting his head at her, he finished the story. “It seems the stories are true. See, my lovely mystic,” he held the stone in his hand and the swirling colors disappeared, “all true.”

He moved her hair aside to place the chunky, aged gold chain around her neck, then turned her around to study the effect. The colors resumed their dance. “Perfect.”

“I’m a little nervous meeting everyone for the first time like this.” Caitlin held the stone and calmed immediately.

“Don’t be. Once they see this,” he pointed to the stone, “they’ll know how lucky they are to have you. Besides, I love you. That represents a whole other sort of power. Everyone enjoys a true love story. Our happily ever after has made us famous. No one thought I’d ever find my life mate. It gives everyone hope.”

“If that’s how they feel, then I’m happy to be their shining example. When is Jackson supposed to be here? I’m looking forward to finally meeting him.”

“He called and said he’d be late, but made sure I promised to save him a plate.”

Caitlin laughed. “I guess he is still a growing boy. Is he too busy eating to date? Or does Jackson already know who his mate is?”

“Definitely no boy. And no to both of your questions. He gets around, but there’s no one in particular. As an alpha wolf, he’ll be expected to take an alpha female to mate one day. As yet, his wolf hasn’t imprinted on any female. Mating with a wolf will satisfy his vampire and Lycan need for a life mate. Then, he’ll be able to sire others of his kind. He’s the last hope of keeping the natural born vampire breed alive.”

“The vampires were facing extinction when he was born. Let’s pray he doesn’t take as long to find the right woman as you did.”

“Ah, as I told the lad...” He bent and kissed her thoroughly then he added, “You were worth waiting for.”

Caitlin was breathing hard by the time he released her. “You are so going to get lucky tonight, mister,” she said. “Shall we go get the introductions over?”

“Aye, lass. I’m truly looking forward to later.” He grinned and did his classic brow wiggle.

The heavier brogue always gave him away. He was aroused again. Good, she thought, and held out her arm. She was rattled by her constant need for him. Knowing he was as desperate please her.