Bitten By Magic (2 page)

“Go to hell, Elder!” She had noticed the way he licked his lips after taking a deep breath when he entered the room. That should have warned her to be wary around a freshly risen Vampire in need of blood, but she was aching and weak enough not to care.

“Don’t push me, Keeper.” The words were warning enough, but the silky undertones of need had her taking a step back. “Behave yourself. There are only ten more days until the new moon and our wedding. Then you’ll be Mistress Chambers and I will allow you some freedoms.”

“You will
allow
me
some
freedoms?” Her voice rose with indignation; bile rose in her throat as she watched his firm lips move in a mocking smile that severed the only remaining hold she had on her rage. “Bastard! I will never marry a barbaric killer like you. Nor will I stay ten more damnable days in this pit!” Angrily, Alexa grabbed the book she’d been reading off the bed and flung it as hard as she could at his head. Her nails dug into her palms as he deftly caught the heavy book and tossed it back on the bed. His eyes flashed blood red as his jaw clenched. “I’m not some child to lock away until you feel like letting me out!”

“I suggest you stop acting like a child then.” His calm tone was at direct odds with the violence threatening in his gaze. She should have stopped, should have pulled her cloak of indifference tight around her thin shoulders and left well enough alone, but Alexa Carver the woman was incensed by his ill-mannered attempt at handling her.

“Can a child do this?” She hadn’t counted on his speed, nor had she expected him to recognize the signs of a witch about to barbeque him with a light spell. He deftly ducked the tiny ball of energy she flung out at him. It hit the door and fizzled like a sad little spark. She had only raised her hands together for another attempt when his body collided with hers, sending them both back against the wall beside the window.

Alexa’s heart was pounding with fear, frustration, anger, and even excitement as she found herself squashed between the cool wall and his hot, hard body. His left hand held her wrists together up over her head while his right grasped her chin, effectively keeping her mouth shut, so she couldn’t hurl curses at him.

“You should never have put up a fuss, Keeper. Since you’re in need of reminding why you are here under my roof and my protection, then there it is.” He easily turned her head so she was staring out the window. “At the gate you’ll see two sets of men standing guard. One set on the outside, one inside. Can you guess which ones of them are Vampires and which ones are Wolven?” Her intake of air made him smile against her cheek, his earth and rosemary scent teasing her nose as he turned his head to talk into her ear. “Your cousin showed up at the gate two days ago with her Alpha demanding to see you. I sent them away unharmed, a favor to you as our pact remains unbroken. You will behave, eat, and marry me as arranged when the new moon reaches its zenith. If you don’t, then those two at the gate will be the first strike made.”

Alexa recognized one of the Wolven as the Alpha’s second in command. Tray Nibet was a quiet wolf who followed orders and was loyal to a fault. Her body shuddered at the thought. She would be responsible for his destruction if she didn’t go meekly along with the Elder’s wishes.

“You’re a monster,” she said, wincing as he bent his head to her exposed neck. She felt his body move against her as he inhaled her scent deeply. Then there was the unmistakable slide of his warm lips against her skin. A delicious shiver raced down her spine at the simple touch. Whether it was from fear or excitement, she wasn’t quite sure.

“I am.” There was only acceptance in his tone as his warm breath made her shiver in reaction. Her heart was pounding against her ribs, a fact that she knew would only inflame his need to bite, to take her blood. She didn’t want that. A gasp escaped her as sharp teeth caressed her neck to slide along to the point of her shoulder. “I think you need a small reminder to keep you from imagining different.” His words didn’t give her enough warning as she felt the burning pain of his fangs scraping her shoulder.

Alexa closed her eyes, her fingernails biting into her palms as she instinctively felt his need to feed from her. She bit the flesh of her lower lip, forcing back the plea that would make him stop. She was the Keeper of the Treaty and a little bite from a big, bad Vamp wasn’t going to break her. His hair brushed against her face, soothing her even as his mouth threatened to ravish her shoulder. She wasn’t prepared for the strange way her body reacted to him. Heat radiated from the skin beneath his hot mouth down over her suddenly hardened nipples to center in her lower belly as an unfamiliar ache began to pulsate between her legs.

Alexa’s eyes flew open as his body shifted, pressing the undeniable length of his shaft against her tummy. He was fully aroused, making her shocked mind realize what she was feeling was pure animal lust. A small squeak escaped her as she came to that sobering thought.

“Damn!” He released her and moved back against the door in the space of time it took her to lower her hands to her shoulder. She stared at him, her mouth open and gasping for air, as Wilhelm’s tongue flicked out to lick over his sharp fangs. “You’re mine, Keeper. Don’t forget why you’re here.” He was gone with the slam of the door.

***

“Sorry, Mistress. I didn’t mean to pull your hair.” Georgetta’s soft apology made Alexa blink. Straightening her shoulders, she met the younger woman’s stare in the mirror. It had been ten days since she’d seen him last and she could still feel the alarming sensation of his fangs scraping her shoulder. How could the simple threat of such a violent act leave one wishing it was being repeated? She cleared her suddenly dry throat as she forced a smile at the mirror and the alarmed woman behind her. He may have made sure she was brought clean clothes and a television, but the Elder was still her mortal enemy.

“I can’t wait to see you handfast with the Elder, knowing that all eyes will be on how beautiful I made you. Wait until the Master lays eyes on you; I bet he smiles. Don’t you think he could be positively gorgeous with a smile on his handsome face?” Georgetta’s pert little nose crinkled up as she grinned with giddy delight. “He’s not as monstrous as he tries to make out, you know.” She went right on talking as one of Alexa’s dark brows rose in doubt. “It’s true. Did you know I was a runaway from a horrible foster home? I was living on the streets in New Orleans, hungry, dirty, and destitute. He heard me crying in the dark. He didn’t say a word to me, just bent and picked me up. He brought me here and made this my home.”

“In exchange for your blood, no doubt.”

“He never asked me to be a Poppet. I volunteered, after I realized the benefits.” Her dark eyes dropped to Alexa’s hair and a tell-tale pink brightened her cheeks.

“You’ll be good for the Master. I think he’s been alone for so long that he doesn’t remember what being loved feels like. I heard one of the others say he doesn’t allow any of the ladies to stay the entire night in his bedchambers.” Her brown eyes looked sad as she shook her head, black bob hitting her pale cheeks as she did so.

“That’s enough, Georgetta!” Both women turned in surprise to stare at the tall blonde woman standing in the doorway. Her scowl communicated her displeasure toward the younger girl’s chatter. “Her hair looks fine. You must go report to Hughes. Tell him the ceremony will start in ten minutes.”

“Yes, of course, Rosalyn.” Georgetta quickly dropped the antique brush down and stood to hurry from the room as if a vicious dog were at her boot heels.

“Thank you!” Alexa called after the girl as she stood to face the stranger. The woman named Rosalyn was a classic beauty. Her curvy body was encased in a black silk and lace corseted dress. Her platinum hair was piled on the top of her head in cascading curls, each in its place. Her eyes were crystalline blue and about as friendly as a pit bull’s right before he attacks. Rosalyn fairly pulsed as her blood red lips pursed with revulsion.

“I’m Alexa Carver.” She held out a hand in friendship, but let it drop as anger burned in the blonde’s eyes.

“I know who you are, Keeper.” Rosalyn’s soft voice bitterly dripped menace. “You are the one who is chosen, but you will never be his only one.” Alexa’s head reared back as she realized the meaning behind the harsh warning. This woman, who was showing sharp fangs in a move of outright warfare, wanted what would soon belong to Alexa in the eyes of the Goddess and whatever deity the Vampires followed.

“I find it odd that a woman as beautiful and obviously smart as you seem to be would settle for second place to a woman who neither wants, nor needs, a mate.” The woman’s pupils shrank with her fury. Her pale cheeks turned to gray as she tightened her fists in an attempt to control her rage. Vampire males were known for their tempers, but Alexa was sure this female could give them a run for their money. She waited patiently, steadfastly meeting the glare and threat before her. She knew in her heart that to look away or blink would invite her destruction.

“You will hold your tongue to me, Witch! I am no second in this Hive! Follow me. The time has come for the ceremony that will tie you to my leader. I give you a week at the most before he grows tired of your...” Her gaze moved over Alexa’s body dressed in the pure white satin gown. The thin straps and sweetheart bodice left her arms and a good portion of her cleavage bare. The dress came down to a vee at her small waist and then flared out in a skirt that ended at her ankles. A brow rose questioningly as Rosalyn spotted her bare feet and pink toenails, another wedding idea of Georgetta’s. “Plain face and skinny bones. Get used to seeing me leave his bedchamber.” Triumph lit her features as she turned toward the door.

“Word has it, he kicks every female out of his bedchambers the instant he’s rolled off them. You are more than welcome to take my place in that degradation.” Alexa stepped past her as Rosalyn froze in surprise.

Alexa told herself that she should not be instigating a verbal fight with a female Enforcer, yet she couldn’t seem to help it. Following the rigid back of Rosalyn, she tried to calm her nerves by chewing on her bottom lip. The Goddess might have a purpose in tying her to Elder Wilhelm Chambers, but it was striking Alexa as the worst possible path toward the end of her life. He hated her guts even more than the angry Vampiress charging down the tapestry-lined hallway in front of her.

Alexa was aware of the art she was passing; medieval works of mastery well-preserved and vivid in color. It was alarming to realize the Vampires of her youth, the ones who lived in the dark, dank bowels of the earth in rotting caskets, didn’t match up to the standards of living she was being introduced to. These Vampires lived in a gated community that involved big Victorian homes made of brick and mortar. Some were three stories tall, bordering on mansion qualifications, if she was to believe Georgetta’s elaborate descriptions.

Alexa hadn’t believed her eyes when she pulled back the heavy solar-blocking curtains to see green lawns with flowers and hedges, which were well-groomed and obviously fertilized. She had shivered, wondering exactly what they used as fertilizers. Now she wiggled her toes into a thick, soft carpet as Rosalyn stopped to wait at the end of the hallway.

“There you are. Give me those.” Rosalyn snatched a bouquet of black roses tied together with a silken white ribbon. Georgetta smiled at Alexa over her shoulder as she hurried away. “You will carry these.” Rosalyn thrust the flowers into Alexa’s hands as she spoke. “When the music starts you must come down the stairs, meet Jaxson, and walk with him to the altar room. Do not trip. Do not dawdle.” Alexa felt her lips twitch at the need to laugh at the way Rosalyn was treating her like a child.

“I will fly to the Elder’s side posthaste, Madam.” Her dry sarcasm was not lost on the other woman, who pursed her lips before disappearing around the corner. Her high heels didn’t slow her down as she descended the stairs.

How she longed for her cousin to be with her. Allison was her only living kin and her best friend. She should have been there to walk with her down the aisle toward the man of her dreams, the man who held her heart. A lump formed in her throat as her eyes stung with remorse. This wasn’t a true wedding; the man waiting for her at the altar would never be the man of her dreams, and if he held her heart, it would only be to sink his bloody fangs into it.

Alexa heaved a painful sigh as she straightened her shoulders and stared at the flowers. Her breath hissed as a thorn left in the bundle stuck deep in her palm. She picked the thorn out and stared at the drop of rich, dark blood forming on her skin. A frown gathered her dark brows together beneath her curled bangs. Bleeding in the midst of an unknown number of bloodsuckers was probably a major no-no in the Vampire book of etiquette. She quickly wiped the drop away, healing the slight puncture wound as she did so. She was so going to be eaten before her time. At least Rosalyn would be satisfied then. And Allison would be safe.

She had to cling to that notion. Her sacrifice would ensure her beloved cousin’s safety. Their blood oath bound Wilhelm from letting her family come to any harm by his hand or that of his brethren. Any revenge he held against Allison would fall to her shoulders, of that she was certain. She welcomed it.

A heavy sigh left her as she caressed the black roses carefully with the tip of her finger. At her touch the roses turned from the morbid black to a lively pink color. Georgetta would love that they identically matched her toes. It was a gentle use of her magic, and just enough to relax the painful tension in her shoulders. It felt wonderful being out of that suffocating room. If he thought for one instant that she was going back to it... She bit her lower lip and tried to push the anger down. This was her wedding day, after all. One must not be a droopy bride.

The soft strains of
Amas Veritas
made her gag as she fought a wave of nausea. Alexa grasped the flowers in both hands, welcoming the pain as another thorn lodged deep in her finger. She should have dethorned the silly flowers while she was at it. She rubbed a finger down the stems and the remaining thorns fell away in a shower of sparks.