Unruly magic. A pregnancy that only the Gods can create. A surprise visit from a long lost relative. Claiming collars, Royal Mages and a new and totally different world. So many things have happened in a mere 72-hour period.

It is no wonder that I must question my actions before I help Izzy escape from a world that has perfected enslaving our kind—vampires. May the Gods stake me now, for I will destroy the many to save the one.

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Gaia’s Lust

Copyright © 2010 Annie Alvarez

ISBN: 978-1-55487-665-5

Cover art by Angela Waters

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

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Gaia’s Lust

Hightower Book Five

By

Annie Alvarez

Chapter 1

I am Tamara, Matriarch of my clan. My experience spans from thousands of years of existence. I have endured incredible pain. The kind that mere mortals cannot begin to imagine or fathom even exists. I had also known pleasure. The kind that leaves you believing not in the existence of one god, but in many, all of whom sing as one, in a choir to your delight. I have kissed the forehead of a newly created life before it had taken its first breath and I have tenderly kissed the sweet lips of death as I delivered another soul that had unwittingly crossed my path. I have known these things and much more.

I’ve struck fear in the most hideous, warped minded mortals, but when it comes to Izzy, I’d learned that it meant nothing to her that my hands were stained with the blood of thousands.

I am a vampire. Lethal, cunning, exceptionally beautiful and always the bringer of death, yet, I’d been hiding in our family’s underground vaults for several reasons.

Even after spending all that time with the witches, Izzy’s attempts at casting spells had not improved. She continued to run only a fifty percent chance of success.

Her last spell made my clothes disappear, leaving me naked on the dance floor of Club Red. I wouldn’t have minded so much if my hidden weapons hadn’t disappeared as well. Now, she claims her abilities had unconsciously manifested themselves in the midst of our sexual encounters. It is one thing to worry about ending up naked in public, it is quite another to worry about acquiring a tail or another body part when making love to my wife. In Izzy’s defense, my tail disappeared after a couple of hours and the extra appendage was quite useful.

The root of the problem seemed to be that I had volunteered her to get pregnant as a means to pay off a debt. Even though, as Matriarch, I am entitled to make these kinds of decisions, it did not fare well with Izzy and I earned, as humans called it, a place in the doghouse.

I owed Erika for helping me find Izzy after Celeste and Reamus took her. I would have happily carried the child, but my body wouldn’t accommodate such a request. The truth was that the dead can’t give life, and I’ve been dead a long time. Erika hadn’t been forthcoming about any details except that she would magically use our genes to create a life. I had some understanding of whose DNA it, the child, would have, but I wondered what kind of child it would be. Would it be vampire? Witch? Or some genetic mutation between the two and if so, could it be controlled?

As far as I was concerned, we were lucky we escaped the vixen’s twisted clutches alive. I walked away with some permanent scars, an oddity for my bloodline and Izzy would give birth, how hard could that have been?

According to Izzy, it was that very remark that warranted my current predicament. She did not understand the ways of our world yet and, contrary to her opinion, I was not, nor have I ever been, a chauvinistic pig. The strong took care of the weakest. Matriarchs ruled and subordinates obeyed without question. It was more than law, it just was.

After Mila died, I spent too many years perfecting my cold nature. It would take more than just the short year Izzy and I had been together and a wide learning curve to soften my hard interior. I accepted that my Matriarchal title and duties meant nothing to Izzy. I ruled our clan, but she ruled our home. All I asked for in return was the same understanding and patience I had extended to her, but…no. She reminded me every minute of every waking hour of the decision I had made for her and informed me that she wasn’t going through this pregnancy alone.

I had yet heard another heartbeat emanating from her, but the classical pregnancy repetition set in. Tamara, rub my back. Tamara, rub my feet. Tamara, get me this. Tamara, get me that. Tamara…Tamara… Tamara…and then I understood the not going through it alone part. Goddess, help me. I had another eight months to endure this punishment.

Izzy had defied every symptom known to human doctors. Her appetite hadn’t changed—she continued to crave more human food than liquid sustenance. She showed no signs of fatigue and though her belly had not extended, she swore that life nestled deep within her womb. I pushed all my doubts aside and took her word that she was with child. I couldn’t wait until she finally delivered, and I could get some semblance of a normal life back. I tend not to sulk, but when I did, I did it in the privacy of my own company, which is why the sun had set thirty minutes ago and I couldn’t convince myself to get out of bed and meet with Izzy, yet.

“Is the mighty Matriarch still banished from her bed?” Layla’s voice broke through the silence.

I ignored her. Layla loved to feed trouble and I refused to bite.

“Izzy is stubborn and stupid.” She baited, but I paid no heed.

I could tell by the sound of her voice that she approached me.

I closed my eyes.

“I mean, you are very attractive. There are many women who accept our ways that would love the opportunity to treat you as you deserve to be treated.”

And there it was. I knew Layla couldn’t resist insulting Izzy.

“You can’t stay here forever,” she said.

“Oh? Watch me.” Carrying the pillow with me, I rolled over to get a better look at her. She was as beautiful and goddess-like as ever. She had her own glow, of which, I’m sure she cast just for our meeting. Her black eyes accentuated her soft, pale face and her deep, red lips moved slowly, enticing me to welcome her into my bed.

“You know, Izzy will find you.” She chuckled.

I didn’t need reminding that I had been wrapped around Izzy’s whims lately. “Go away.” I placed the pillow over my face.

 “This is only a temporary escape to a permanent problem.”

“Permanent?” I sat straight up. She knew how to get my attention. “What do you mean permanent?”

“Oh.” She gasped and covered her mouth in an attempt to look surprised. “Erika hasn’t told you?”

“Told me what?”

She approached me slowly, gliding through the air, allowing her robes to conveniently flap open and expose her long, silky legs.

“Told me what, Layla,” I demanded.

“Well, my dear. It seems that you and Izzy are keeping the child and raising it as your own.”

I heard the words and fell back against the mattress, my arms spread out as if someone crucified me. Someone stake me now. I wasn’t ready to be a full time parent. I learned that painful lesson after Joan’s High Priestess trapped me in a roomful of innocent children and called forth my hunger. It was a miracle that I hadn’t slaughtered them. Instead of allowing my true nature to rule me, I dug my fangs deep into my own shoulder and drank. Children made me weak. I still had the scar to prove it.

“Did you hear me?” Layla egged on.

“Yes.” I sighed. “I’m contemplating my death.”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic.” Layla chuckled as she floated above me. “Besides having Izzy around, tending to a little girl would do you some good.”

“Peachy, another set of working ovaries,” I mumbled. “The PMS alone may kill me.”

“When the time is right, it shall be.” A sadistic smile slowly crept across her face.

I knew Layla, the Vampire Goddess, but I knew Layla, my ex-lover better, well enough to know she toyed with me. “Is there ever a right time to have a child?”

“Of course.” An evil sparkle shone in her eyes. “But one must first be pregnant.”

“She’s not pregnant?” My voice cracked in a moment of relief.

Layla momentarily disappeared and then reappeared at the foot of the bed. I sat up, waiting for an answer.

“We were so good together.” She gently caressed my leg.

“Oh, no.” I moved away from her touch. “Don’t change the subject.”

For a moment, she looked hurt that I would deny her my touch, and I felt obliged to comfort her. “We decided we were better friends than lovers and…” I paused, not sure my words would consol her. “Sometimes friends don’t let friends touch them.”

She shrugged and smiled. “You are too trusting of your human lover.”

That was a personal jab. Since my union to Izzy, Layla had mentioned on several occasions that for a human, she liked Izzy, but that my vampiric common sense had failed me to accommodate Izzy’s humanity.

“The truth has been before you all along.”

She did a quick flick of the wrist as if brushing away my inadequacies and continued.

“She is not pregnant, yet.”

“Damn her!” I jumped out of bed and slipped into my robe.

“That can be arranged,” Layla offered.

I gave her a harsh, disapproving look as I slipped into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

“We could still be good together,” she called from the other room.

“Oh, no.” I spit a mouth full of water out and shook my head. “I can’t go down memory lane with you right now.”

Layla and I had once been a short-term couple. The problem was with me. I couldn’t get used to the fact that every time we had sex, I felt a little more of her empty darkness taking over me. Not only that, but whenever we discussed our failed relationship, I couldn’t help think of Mila and my love for her that led to our breakup. Layla was a good sport about it. She only tried killing us a few times. Regardless, I didn’t have the time or desire to recap old memories. I had matters that were more pressing that I needed to take care of. For starters, Izzy had driven me crazy for the past six weeks, using the pretense that she was pregnant.

I stepped out of the bathroom, refreshed, feeling as though I had a great weight lifted from my shoulders.

“I mean,” she continued, “it’s a shame you decided to follow your own path instead of nurturing what we had.” She lay on the bed, my pillow against her face, taking in a deep breath. “We did have fun together.”

“Fun is not the word I would use, and stop sniffing my pillow.” I yanked it from her and threw it to the head of the bed. “You already know what I smell like.”

“Indeed.” She sat up and smiled. “But it has been a long time since you graced me with your scent. Sometimes I need a small reminder.” She puckered her lips and blew me a kiss. “It is not everyday a Goddess invites you into her good graces. You should have enough sense to take me up on my offer.”

“I love Izzy.” I caught Layla’s gaze. “I wouldn’t trade a single moment of what we have.”

“Of course.” She stood, leaned into me and tenderly caressed my face. “I had hoped that well…” She paused. “Well, it’s not important…go, she waits for you to continue where you left off last night.” She smiled, then vanished.

That was Layla’s way of letting me know she watched, not as Izzy dominated our bedroom, but that I had become submissive. If it wasn’t bad enough I had swallowed my pride giving into Izzy’s bedroom whims, but now Layla knew about it.

Zoe emerged from under my bed, stretched and jumped into my arms. She was a black, Maine Coon kitten with the traditional long hair and the most gorgeous golden eyes I had ever seen. She was also a were-human and Izzy’s magical familiar. Born a feline, she has the ability to turn into human form. Zoe was the strangest thing I’d ever seen, but after some thought, I decided that if humans can shift into animals, it would make sense for it to work in reverse. As Izzy’s familiar, not only was she supposed to help Izzy cast spells, but deflect or take any negative energy the magic might throw back at Izzy.

“I would stay clear of that witch if I were you,” she said almost hissing.

“You’re just upset that her spell backfired.” I scratched behind her ear, trying to soothe her bitterness.

“Hell, yeah!” She raised her chin and rubbed her neck against my fingers. “I’m a kitten, and I’m going into heat soon, but I look like a bald, mutated Chihuahua. It’s embarrassing to leave the house.” She paused, stretching her neck a little further. “I have half a mind to use her shoes as a litter box!”

She did look rough. Izzy had decided that Zoe’s long hair was too hot to wear in Florida and she magically trimmed off an inch or two. To Zoe’s surprise, the spell didn’t work exactly as Izzy had planned. Soon afterward, clumps of hair started falling off her, leaving random patches of her soft, delicate pink skin exposed. Everyone had a good laugh at her expense, except me. I knew what it felt like to be a victim of Izzy’s well-intentioned magic. If I had ever felt pity for another living thing, it was for Zoe.

“As her familiar, couldn’t you help her make sure the spell turn out right?” I asked as I put her on the bed.

“Of course I could, but,” she hissed, “I can’t work miracles! I can only work with what I have and she needs a lot of help.” She lay down, licked herself and started purring at the same time.

“Hey,” I snapped. “Can’t you do that after I leave?”

She lifted her head. “You’re just jealous.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right. If I could do that, then I wouldn’t need a girlfriend.” I tied my robe. “I’m going to keep Izzy busy for a while.”

“Tell her to stop trying to fix me. Every time she does a counter-spell, more hair falls out.”

Chapter 2

As I entered our bedroom, I closed the door behind me. Izzy sat at the foot of the bed waiting, just as I knew she would be.

“I thought you were going to skip out on me.” She stood and spread her arms open as an invitation.

I sighed and opened my robe, showing my nakedness.

“Don’t I get a kiss?”

“Yes, dear.” I embraced her, tightly pressing my lips to hers.

She stepped back. “Are you ready, my love?”

“Oh, yes.” Little did she know how ready I was after finding out she wasn’t pregnant. I had a few surprises waiting for her.

She walked around me, giving me the once over, then stood in front of me and pointed to the ground. I knew what she wanted. The same thing she wanted for the last week—for me to kneel for her. Believe me, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to. I did, but complying meant that I had to betray the basic instincts of my dominant female bloodline.

I looked at my knees, then at the ground and, in one swift movement, bent down, dropped my weight and hit the ground with a thud. The pain riveted through me, reminding me that I couldn’t have done it any slower. Yes, we heal, but we are not immune to the initial fucking pain before our bodies mend back together. I bit back a cry and let a smile break across my face.

“Good,” she encouraged. “Now, shall we get back to where we left off?”

I bowed my head, desperately trying to hide the smug grin that crept across my face. “Yes, dear.”

“Very well. Before we start, I want you to know that I’m not insensitive to your needs. I know you must feed, and you may do so after you tend to my wishes. Then you can have the rest of the night to yourself.”

“You are extremely gracious in your allowances, My Lady.” I lowered my head further and bit my lip to keep from laughing out loud.

“Yes, I am,” she replied. “Now, where were we?” She paused. “Oh yes, you were giving me a back rub before you gave me another orgasm.”

I heard her ruffle the sheets as she lay on the bed. “I’m ready now,” she announced. “Assume your position.”

I couldn’t wait to get started and almost jumped for the bottle of heated massage oil. I took an uncharacteristic deep breath, trying to remain calm.

“Oh, it’s not that bad,” she replied to my sigh. “I could think of worse things to do than to be giving your pregnant wife a back massage.”

Izzy laid face down with her arms outstretched to either side. Her long hair covered her shoulders and cascaded down her beautiful, flawless back. Her magnificent beauty was a thing I could have lost myself in if she hadn’t played the pregnant card with me, again. Yes, this deserved my special attention.

I straddled her legs as I had frequently done in preparing for her back massage. I gently moved her hair from her shoulders, rubbed the oil between my hands and leaned forward. Starting on her cheeks, I ran a long, slow stroke up her back. She moaned which was a good thing. She had no idea what was heading her way, yet. Applying a little more pressure, I kneaded her shoulders until I felt her stiff muscles relax and then rubbed the nook of her neck. The downward stroke took longer as I laid gentle kisses on every inch of skin my hands rubbed and caressed.

“Are you relaxed, my love?”

“Oh, yes,” she cooed.

As I scooted myself onto her calves, I poured warm oil on her ass, then spent extra time kneading and rubbing away the tension each cheek held.

Izzy took a deep breath and slowly exhaled a soft guttural, “Aww,” rattled deep within her throat. Her stiff muscles relaxed underneath me. I caressed and rubbed each cheek in a circular motion as I leaned back. I pulled my knees closer, softly clamping her legs together, making sure she could not squirm away, then raised my open palmed hand and swiftly brought it down against the pale skin of her cheek.

“What the fuck!” she yelled and jerked underneath me.

“You had that coming,” I proclaimed as I slapped Izzy’s other cheek. “And that’s for insisting you were pregnant.” I laid another quick slap and realized that I was smiling. For weeks, I had denied one of my most basic desires and played submissive to her. “And that one is for making my life hell the last six weeks.” I felt a wave of satisfaction wash through me as my red handprint appeared almost immediately.

“Shit! Who told you?” She squirmed, trying to pull free.

“Does it matter?” I asked as I placed one hand on her shoulder and pinned her down. I slid my other hand between her and the mattress, finding her wetness waiting for me. She could argue that she didn’t like the brief spanking, but her body told me otherwise. She stopped struggling as I slipped inside her and massaged her g-spot.

Releasing the grip on her shoulder allowed me to maneuver over her, pinning her naked body against mine. I kissed the nook of her neck and then slowly ran my tongue down her spine. I paused, tasting the salty essence her sweat left behind, then I suctioned my lips around her tight skin and sucked a hickie to life. Izzy moaned as wetness escaped her and I felt her desires swirling deep within the crevasse of our passion. Her warm, silky stickiness commanded my own to surge from me. Our powers had begun to merge. Izzy had the power to call forth and dominate our lust while I enhanced the feelings. The outside world had begun to fade away, leaving nothing but an intense craving to carry us through to complete satisfaction.

I inched my way down her body, bringing my breasts even with her ass and softly brushed my hard nipples against the red hand imprints I had left behind. Another guttural purr escaped her throat while she raised her hips. I slid my fingers out of her warm embrace and teased her erect bungle. Then, in one swift move, I filled her again, going deeper. I filled her until her muscles stretched to accommodate my demands and there was nothing left of her passion to fill.

Suddenly, the air around us shifted and crackled with electricity. The static stood my hairs on end. I knew this feeling. Izzy’s unstable magic had wound up and if given the chance it would consume her, again. The last time, she slipped into a catatonic state—completely lost to everything around her as the magic shot lightning bolts through her hands, destroying all the bedroom furniture. The time before last, her magic forged a tail on me and materialized some rather annoying pixies. I had to summon Shamana to my aid who temporarily managed to bind Izzy’s powers until she regained the where with all to control herself. With each new encounter, her magic grew stronger and more unpredictable.

I pulled out of her and grabbed her midsection, bringing both of us to our knees, cradling her back against my front. Izzy needed something to quench the fueling magic before she killed us all.

The energy sizzled around us, growing heavier by the moment. Flashes of light clung in the darkened room looking as though a medley of fireflies sporadically danced nearby. Then a swirling wind manifested around us, moving the heavy furniture with ease, sliding our massive bed several inches from its original resting place. I tightened my embrace around Izzy. I would not let her escape my grasp.

I straightened my back, gaining several inches over Izzy’s body, and retightened my grip around her. “Forgive me,” I whispered and without mentally altering the pain, I sank my fangs deep into her neck, hoping the agony would snap her back to reality.

The wind howled as it gathered more strength. I forced my fangs deeper, taking enough blood to render her unconscious. As her body went limp, a thunderous pop echoed and the wind disappeared.

“Release that woman, you foul dastardly creature!” a woman’s voice rang out.

Dastardly creature? Damn her magic! It had provided another unwanted visitor and this one didn’t sound fond of vampires. I pulled away from Izzy, gently laying her unresponsive body forward onto the mattress, and turned to get a better view of our unwelcomed guest.

A woman wearing purple linen buccaneer pants and a white linen loose fitting shirt posed behind me with a short sword in her hand. Standing about five and a half feet tall and weighing approximately one hundred and thirty-five pounds with long brown hair and brown eyes, she held an uncanny resemblance to Izzy. The differences were subtle enough that only my vampire sight could distinguish the discrepancies between them. Had her magic split a part of Izzy from her and manifested itself here?

“Defend yourself,” she warned as she took a step closer, waving her sword in the air.

“Surely you would not attack a naked woman in her bed, would you?”

“You are no woman.” She grabbed something from her waistband and threw it at me. The object flew through the air and a black studded collar harmlessly landed at the foot of the bed. She cocked her head as if she were confused, then grabbed the hilt of her sword with both hands, waving her weapon high in the air. “You are a Death-Walker!” she yelled as she lunged toward me.

I grabbed Izzy and rolled us out of the way just as the sharp blade sliced the mattress where we once laid. Instinct told me to subdue the attacker quickly, but my fear was that by harming her, I would also harm Izzy. I grabbed the sheet and threw it over the stranger as I scurried off the bed.

“Perhaps, I can entice you to enjoy some pleasure as well?” I said, as I lured the stranger to the other side of the room, redirecting her attention away from my wife.

“You’ll not get your fangs into me,” she scoffed. As the sheet dropped to her feet, she spun around, facing me. “What evil magic did you use to bring me here?”

“I used no magic.” I hadn’t lied. It was Izzy who summoned her here. I crouched for another attack. “Not that you’ll understand, but it was an accident.” I bared my fangs as a warning for her to keep her distance.

She raised a questioning brow and showed the same expression that consumed Izzy when she was confused. After a moment, she yelled, “You lie!” and charged toward me.

My agile abilities allowed me to escape the second blow of her sword.

She brought it down shattering our glass coffee table and jumped as if the breaking glass startled her. “Where have you brought me and what have you done with my men?” She sneered through clenched teeth.

I positioned myself in front of the fireplace and wondered if I could take a moment to enjoy the warmth on my naked backside. “You are at the Hightower estate.” I paused, stalling. “As for your men, I suspect they are where you were.” I smiled, baring just the tips of my fangs. Izzy had once told me it adds to my sexy appeal.

Either my answer enraged her, or the tips of my fangs pissed her off because she charged me again, but this time, I had grabbed the poker and used it to parry off her attack. Her sword sliced through the air, aligned perfectly to sever my head from my shoulders. I raised my new weapon and the steel of her sword scraped down the metal poker until it caught on the U-shaped hook. With a slight twist of my wrist, her sword flew through the air.

Immediately, she was on me, trying to grapple me to the ground. Allowing her movements to guide me, I bent backward, doing a defensive somersault and, in midair, grabbed her shoulders as I landed behind her. I used my new position to throw her against the wall. As she slid down the wall onto the hard floor, I was straddling her, using my knees to pin her arms against her sides.

“I have no intentions on hurting you,” I hissed. “Unless you force my hand. Now calm down.”

She wiggled and bucked, trying to throw me off. I squeezed my thighs tighter against her. She struggled harder. Her desperation permeated the air and I knew there would be no reasoning with her. I grabbed her jaw with my left hand, forcing her head still. She scrunched her eyes shut. I sighed. Not only did this stranger resemble Izzy, but she also had many of Izzy’s stubborn characteristic traits. Using my free hand, I pried her eyelids open, forcing her to look me in the eye. She struggled for only a moment longer before I had invaded her mind and calmed her into submission.

“Sit next to the fire and relax until I return,” I commanded, as I headed back to the bed to check on my wife.

“Iz, I have a surprise.” I caressed her cheek. “Wake-up, my love. You’ll want to see this,” I said, as I glanced at our visitor.

“You have taken too much from her,” the stranger blurted out. “She’ll need medical attention.”

I knew Izzy was in no medical danger. I heard her heart pumping at its customary few beats per minute and her lungs slowly filling with air. I grabbed a pair of blue jeans that hung on the foot of the bed and slipped into them. At least I wasn’t completely naked anymore. Izzy stirred as I slipped my shirt on.

“Oh God,” she exclaimed. “What happened this time?” she asked, rubbing the bite wound on her neck.

“Your magic has brought us another guest.” I paused and jerked my head toward the stranger. “Perhaps, one day soon, we can find a way to make love without your magic interfering?”

“Oh shit, Tamara, I’m so sorry.” She turned her head looking toward the ruined coffee table, then jumped out of bed. When her feet hit the floor, she swayed and grabbed the bedpost for balance.

I came around the side of the bed. “Here, come meet yourself,” I said, handing her an extra large tee shirt.

She gave me an inquisitive look, slipped the shirt on and followed me as I approached the fidgeting woman. The woman’s muscles would not betray my suggestions no matter how hard she tried to squirm free.

Izzy knelt in front of her, staring at her as though she were looking in a mirror. Taken aback by the resemblance, the woman went still, staring back at Izzy.

“What have you done to me?” The words barely escaped the stranger’s lips.

“How is this possible?” Izzy asked looking up at me. “My magic has never done something like this before.” She paused. “It’s never separated me from…myself.”

“I am not part of you!” Izzy’s reflection barked. “I am McKenzie, Princess of the Imperial Mage and Commander of the Royal Guards. You had best explain your treasonous actions, witch.”

“Well, McKenzie, I am Tamara Hightower, Matriarch of the Hightower clan and,” I pointed at Izzy, “that is my wife, Izzy Hightower. As such, I expect you to address her properly.”

“I would rather die than to address you formally,” she spat at me.

I raised a brow. “That can be arranged.”

“Tamara, please.” Izzy stepped in front of me as I advanced toward McKenzie. I would not kill her, but inflicting pain wasn’t beyond me either.

McKenzie looked at Izzy, then said, “You still have a chance at a normal life, but your blood is impure. I can smell it. Your magic had been tainted with death.” She paused, looking at me. “You have corrupted her. She is no better than the half-breeds running around, and because of you, she will never be a true mage.”

My exquisite speed had me inches from her before she realized I was there. I raised my fist, but as it came down, Izzy caught it in her hand. “No. Please, don’t hurt her. I think…I think we may be related.”

I stared at Izzy, then shifted my gaze to McKenzie. Perhaps, she was right. The similarities between them would explain a genetic relationship, but I knew it was probably unlikely as Izzy’s parents, Derek and Lucile, died when she was only a child. I had spent many nights comforting her as she cried on my shoulder about the loss of her parents.

“We have searched for your family. We haven’t even been able to find any lost relatives. I don’t want you to get your hopes up only to have them crushed again.”

“I am the only heir to Queen Lucile’s throne!” McKenzie demanded.

“Lucile?” Izzy repeated.

The coincidence that this woman’s mother was named the same as Izzy’s was too great to ignore. “Oh, and let me guess, your father is Derek,” I said sarcastically.

“It’s King Derek, to you!” the woman barked.

Izzy stood motionless, the color slowly fading from her face. Her mouth dropped open in a perfect O and then closed as if for once, she had nothing to say.

Shamana burst through our bedroom door. Her energy bustling ahead of her, she took a quick look around and I felt her power release.

“I heard the commotion and came as quickly as I could.” She addressed me while pointing at Izzy. “What has she done now?”

“Her magic is driving me crazy. Apparently, it has found her long-lost twin.” I pointed at McKenzie.

With a bewildered look on her face, Shamana stared at the two women for a moment. “This cannot be!” she proclaimed. “The portals have been closed for centuries.”

It wasn’t her answer that startled me, but the lack of what she said. She didn’t deny Izzy had a twin. Even more surprising to me was that Izzy had not started plummeting Shamana with questions. She just stood there as if frozen in time.

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat, pointing to the girls.

“Oh, yes.” Shamana waved her hand. “I hit them with an immobilization spell.” She turned her attention back to me. “Tell me what happened.”

“Well, we were trying to have sex again,” I explained as I maneuvered around the two living statues. “When all of a sudden, her magic gave me a run for my money.” I inspected the fire and grabbed the poker. “Hurricane Izzy hit us dead on. I tried to snap her out of the trance, but,” I poked the dying fire back to life, “she showed up instead.” I pointed the hot rod at McKenzie. I had been tempted to smack her with it, but placed it back in its holder. “You mentioned a portal. Which one were you talking about?” I had known of the existence of portals on earth. Some led to different dimensions, others led to different worlds and there were some that reportedly led to the very depths of hell.

“We may have a problem.” Shamana let out a long sigh and then slowly approached McKenzie. When she was within reach, she moved McKenzie’s shirt collar, let out a gasp and stepped back. “It is worse than I expected. Things must be restored to their proper order.”

“Which portal, what proper order and who the hell is she,” I pointed at McKenzie. “And can they hear us?” I poked Izzy on the shoulder.

Ouch! I’m not dead. Izzy’s thought came to me.

I smiled and kissed her cheek.

“It’s best if we are all present for this conversation.” Shamana snapped her fingers and the two statuettes came back to life.

“What the hell—” Izzy abruptly stopped as McKenzie immediately went down on one knee, in a formal bow.

Izzy rolled her eyes. “What are you doing?”

“It is the Shamana,” she said without raising her head. “It is written that the Shamana will help us win this war and become our next Oracle. She is to be revered and addressed properly.” She looked at me. “Not something the likes of you would understand.”

“Now, I have heard everything!” I laughed and all eyes turned to me. “Seriously? The Shamana?”

Izzy stepped forward. “I trusted you. Please tell me this is a misunderstanding and you didn’t keep knowledge of my family from me.”

“Child,” Shamana addressed McKenzie, extending her hand to her. “Please rise. There is no need for this.”

McKenzie took her hand and stood, keeping her head bowed.

Then Shamana turned to Izzy. “We should continue this downstairs, where it is more comfortable.” She turned on her heels and left the room with McKenzie in tow.

Izzy followed closing the door behind them. “That’s just great! What am I going to do if I find out my parents are still alive?” She turned, making a beeline for the closet. “I mean, it’s not as if I could just walk up to them and say, Hey, remember me, the daughter you left for dead?”

She shuffled the hangers, then pulled one off the clothes rod.

My sensitive hearing heard the denim material scrape off the hanger and hit the floor.

She came out of the closet with a little hop to her step as she pulled her jeans up and zipped them.

“What if she really is my sister? I mean…” She pulled the baggy T-shirt off and threw it on the bed. “She called me a half-breed.” Her shoulders slumped forward and the corner of her lips curled down.

Her sadness overwhelmed me. I couldn’t imagine what she was feeling. After thinking all these years her parents were dead, now she found out that they were very much alive and that she had a twin sister.

“We will deal with this as we have dealt with everything else.” I embraced her in my arms. She rested her head on my shoulder and let out a deep sigh. “Or, if it would make you feel better, I could always taint her blood and put you both on equal footing.”

Izzy chuckled. “Thanks for the offer,” she said, pulling away from me and grabbing her bite me tee shirt. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She popped her head through the neck of the shirt and smiled. “Let’s go see what we can get out of her.”

Chapter 3

“As I said,” Shamana exclaimed. “It was not done with the intention to hurt either one of you. There was no time to take a vote. A decision had to be made, or we would lose all of you.”

Izzy leaned forward, laid her head on the table and intertwined her fingers through her hair. “I can’t believe you’ve known this whole time.”

Viola, our human servant and cook refilled the empty coffee cups and set a new pot to brew. McKenzie had all ready drank four cups. Her leg shook hard enough to rattle the table as she rubbed her hands together in a compulsive way. I knew McKenzie’s caffeine rush had annoyed Izzy as she had occasionally snapped her view over to her twin and glared without saying a word.

“This is wonderful,” McKenzie said, as she gulped down the last of the coffee and set her cup down. “Are there different flavor cafés?”

Instantly, Izzy popped her head up. “Yes! And it’s coffees, not café.”

McKenzie put her hands up as if surrendering and grumbled something unintelligible.

“We are all a little stressed.” I put my hand on Izzy’s shoulder while flooding her mind with the idea of having patience.

“Tamara, don’t!” she warned as she shrugged her shoulder out from under my grip. “I have the right to be pissed, and I don’t want you dulling that.” She slapped her hands on the table while looking at Shamana. “Answer me! You knew this whole time and let me bounce in and out of foster homes when I had a family I could have been with?”

Shamana shook her head. “No, child. We couldn’t reunite you with them.” She lowered her voice. “I told you, after the accident, your mother only had enough strength to summon me. I sent word to the coven, but the roads were icy and dangerous. It took us a while to find where their car slid off the embankment.” She paused.

Shamana now had everyone’s undivided attention, including mine. She took a deep breath, and then continued. “Arriving moments behind the emergency vehicles, the paramedics had already found you, so we set off to find your parents. We did find them. The car had tumbled off a steep cliff, throwing you clear of the impact before it settled at the bottom of a ravine.” Shamana’s eyes filled with tears. “They were dying, and we knew modern medicine would not be able to save them. I did the only thing I could. I took them to Gaia, where the healing mages could use their magic to save their lives. I stayed with them until the Death-Walkers started to encroach on the land and their queen threatened to seal off the portals forever. With time running out, I left your parents and your sister in the care of the Imperial Mages. When I returned here, you had disappeared, fallen deep into the cracks of the legal system. I never stopped searching for you.” A single tear ran down her cheek. “It was by accident that we were brought back together that horrid night.”

“Yes. You and Celeste tried to kill us. I remem—”

“I lost my sister that night,” Shamana interrupted Izzy, causing the room to fall silent.

That was a particularly difficult evening. I had to impose punishment on a fledgling that fed from and killed a woman in public. There was never really a need for us to kill, and since Kaley opened the Donor’s Centers there was no need for us to feed in public, either. Pierre was a young, attractive and loyal vampire. If he had managed to get control of his bloodlust, he would have served me well. He betrayed our laws and I was in no need of babysitting a youngling. I used him as an example of my force and ruthlessness. In the end, he did fulfill a purpose. We hadn’t had another incident, yet. Unfortunately, Pierre’s victim was also Astrid, Shamana’s sister. She and her daughter Celeste found me in the alley after I had dealt with Pierre. They assumed I had taken Astrid’s life and attacked me. Shamana pounded me with her magic and then Celeste joined in on the beating. It was agonizing. That’s also the same night Izzy truly came into her powers. If she hadn’t stepped in when she did, I can’t say I would have survived their assault. I hadn’t realized until now that Izzy continued to hold ill feelings about that night.

McKenzie reached inside her shirt and pulled out an old, half-burnt picture of Shamana holding a newborn infant. “I know of you only by this photo and the stories the Seers tell.”

I felt a sense of longing and regret emanating from Shamana as she studied the photo. “I was the first to hold you when you first came into this world.” She turned, showing Izzy the picture.

“That isn’t me?” McKenzie asked with a surprised tone.

“No, child. You were born at six minutes after four.” Shamana held the picture and pointed to the digital clock on the nightstand, which read, four o’clock AM. She turned to Izzy. “You were the first to grace this world, six minutes earlier.”

“She’s the eldest?” McKenzie sounded flabbergasted. Shamana’s comment opened a new set of complications for her irrefutable hierarchy. Something most people would kill for.

A wide smile spread across Izzy’s face, but I doubted she understood the implications. I think she was delighted that McKenzie now had the stigmata of having a half-breed older sister.

McKenzie shifted in her seat nervously. “So, you abandoned us, for her?” She motioned to Izzy.

“I gave Lucile my word that I would protect Izzy. I spent years searching for her within the legal system. After I had exhausted all my efforts, I tried to return, but the portal had been sealed.”

“So, what?” Izzy silently fumed underneath her calm exterior. “I’m supposed to feel better because you tried to find me?”

“But why did they not tell me I had a sister?” McKenzie interjected.

Izzy rolled her eyes.

Shamana stood, stretching her legs. “I do not know, child. Perhaps, they assumed you were their only remaining child and didn’t want to burden you with such sorrow. I cannot speak for your parents.”

“By all the Gods!” McKenzie blurted out while pointing at Izzy. “That’s really my twin.”

I did not need my vampire instincts to know that Mount Izzy would soon blow.

“Yes!” Izzy snapped. “Your sister is a half-breed.”

“If you learned some proper etiquette and distanced yourself from this Death-Walker,” she pointed at me, “I could get used to you.”

“Get used to me?” Izzy moved so fast she had her hands around McKenzie’s throat before her chair hit the floor. “I’ll give you something to get used to!” Izzy yelled while choking her.

McKenzie was not defenseless. She slid out of her chair and, turning her body, broke Izzy’s hold on her, then jammed her elbow into Izzy’s side. While Izzy doubled over, she kicked Izzy’s leg out from under her, but on her way down, Izzy grabbed McKenzie’s shirt, tumbling both of them to the ground. The two of them rolled on the floor, neither one able to get the upper hand until McKenzie kicked Izzy, giving her a moment to stand.

Izzy got to her feet, but McKenzie grabbed her and pinned Izzy’s back against the wall. Izzy rammed her knee into McKenzie’s crotch, then bent her own knees, dropping her weight and, with a slight turn of the shoulder, she was loose.

The kitchen filled with energy as the two stood staring at each other. Izzy and McKenzie both raised their hands simultaneously and purple lighting shot from their fingertips. They were so much alike that they even used the same color magic. We all watched as the bolts crashed into each other, hovered in mid-air, then shot toward the stove, erupting into flames. Jaz and I quickly moved away from the fire.

“Motherfucker!” Viola cursed as she sprung into action. She had opened the cabinet, pulled out the fire extinguisher and released the safety pin as she turned, aimed and shot the blaze as if she had years to practice this choreographed dance. Smoke and white ash filled the kitchen.

Again, they raised their hands toward each other, but this time, Viola stepped between them waving a large cast iron pan. “Not. In. My. Kitchen!” She turned to Izzy. “Kill each other, I don’t care.” She shifted her gaze between the two sisters, then focused on McKenzie. “Go outside to settle this.”

“She started it!” McKenzie spat back. Viola took a step forward. McKenzie countered with a step back as energy tingled in the air.

Shamana stepped in front of Viola and, with a wave of her hand, the energy subsided.

McKenzie lowered her head as a sign of respect, and in that instant, Izzy tackled her sister, rolling McKenzie with her on the ground.

 Stacia burst into the kitchen.

“What the hell—” she fell silent as she focused on the squabble.

I stepped forward, but Shamana put her hand out, stopping me. “I wouldn’t intervene. They obviously have much to work out.”

Remembering the kind of fights my sister, Kaley and I used to have, I assumed Shamana was right and leaned my weight against the counter. Jaz and Stacia both looked at me. I shrugged and rolled my eyes, focusing my attention back to the catfight.

McKenzie bucked, throwing Izzy off her and they both scrambled to their feet. McKenzie reached for her scabbard and, realizing her sword wasn’t there, looked at Izzy and an, oh-shit, grin crossed her face.

Her actions weren’t unnoticed. Izzy hissed, “You bitch!” as she leapt at her, but instead of swinging fists, this time Izzy grabbed McKenzie’s hair and yanked her head against the wall. McKenzie hit with a thud, then slid onto the floor. Blood slowly trickled from her forehead.

I would have liked nothing better than to see Izzy drain McKenzie of her blood and superior attitude, but while she was in my house, I owed her some sort of protection. Not only that, but I knew Izzy would never forgive me if I allowed her to drain her sister. I took much from her while trying to snap her out of her trance and the sight of blood might push her over the edge.

Jaz, I silently communicated. Protect McKenzie from Izzy’s hunger.

“Come on!” Izzy yelled as she stood over McKenzie. “Get up! Let’s finish this.”

I felt the subtle change in Izzy stir. Her hunger had awoken, but she controlled it.

After a moment, McKenzie raised her hands, surrendering. “Your combat skills match mine.” She touched her forehead, looked at Izzy’s blood covered hand and watched as Izzy’s fangs lowered and her eyes glowed.

McKenzie hadn’t flinched.

I wondered if she even realized Izzy was part vampire.

“We could do this all day or, consider our match a draw.” She did a double take. “By all the Gods,” she exclaimed. “You’re one of them, too! You’re an abomination.”

As soon as the words left McKenzie’s mouth, Izzy’s rage hit me with only one focus in mind. Death. Immediately, Jaz and I were on the move. Jaz twirled Izzy into my arms as she stepped between them. In one fluid move, I grabbed Izzy, picked her up and turned us both, so that Jaz and I had our backs pressed against each other as our bodies stood between the two girls.

“No wonder you haven’t claimed the death-walk—”

“She’s not a thing to be claimed,” Izzy yelled over McKenzie as she tried pushing past me, but I held firm. “She’s my wife. You imbecile!” Izzy snarled over my shoulder. McKenzie, however, did not struggle in Jaz’s grip. Jaz had used her powers to calm her.

What shall I do with this one? Jaz’s thoughts reached out to me.

Take her for a walk outside. Find out what you can about her, but do not tell her you are one of mine.

“Let her maker deal with her. Come take a walk with me.”

Once McKenzie was out of the kitchen and out of earshot, Izzy opened the fridge and pulled out one of the emergency bags of blood. She opened the cabinet, pulled out a glass, slammed the door shut and ripped the bag open with her teeth.

“Tell me about her world,” she said filling the glass and then put it in the microwave. After setting it for thirty seconds, she turned to face Shamana. “You watched as I followed endless lead after another to find any family I had and yet, you kept this from me. Do you hate me that much?”

“I have never hated you.”

“Not even blamed me for your daughter’s death?”

Celeste had grown insanely jealous of my relationship with Izzy. She had tried poisoning us, then kidnapped me, imprisoned me in New Orleans and summoned the Soul Snatcher, Reamus to aid in killing Izzy. The problem with her well-thought out plans were that she underestimated my love for Izzy. It was I who ripped her heart from her chest, putting an end to the nightmare she had caused.

“No. It was unavoidable. Tamara did what was necessary.” Shamana lowered her head. “What would you like to know?”

“Anything of importance.” The microwave beeped and Izzy pulled the glass out, gave the contents a little taste test, then threw her head back, downing the rest. She refilled the glass and stuck it back in the microwave.

We waited silently as Shamana gathered her thoughts.

The microwave beeped. Izzy sighed, took the glass, righted two tumbled chairs and sat at the table, motioning Shamana to join her.

“Please,” Izzy begged. “If you won’t tell me something of the world my parents are in, at least tell me how to send McKenzie home.”

“Gaia is a different place than what you’re used to here,” Shamana said, taking a seat across the table from Izzy. “Gaia consists mostly of magic and of the fairytale stories we were taught as children. It is a beautiful place. Pixies, fairies and unicorns freely roam the lands. Although, it is not without dangers,” she warned.

Izzy finished her glass of warm blood and set it down. “How come I’ve never heard of it?”

“No one knows its exact location. What we do know is that magic surrounds it and protects it. It’s an island, here on Earth and its always moving.” She took a long breath. “Centuries ago, the mages and the vampires, the Death-Walkers—Sorry, Tamara.” She gave me an apologetic smile.

I shrugged it off.

She continued. “Coexisted in peace. They respected each other’s land boundaries, but greed came upon the last mage queen and she proclaimed war on the Death-Walkers to conquer their lands. They say that the greatest of the great mages came together and cast a spell to keep the Death-Walkers asleep, while the Royal guards swept the land, capturing them. Still under the spell, the Death-Walkers were imprisoned deep within the catacombs of the Imperial Castle until the Royal guards thought every last Death-Walker had been captured and placed in a claiming collar.”

Admittedly, I had only partially paid attention to Shamana’s tale. I had already deduced that the mages and the vampires were at war. The dislike we felt for each other was as common as the sun following the moon. What caught my attention was that during our first meeting, McKenzie had thrown something at me that looked like a collar. Could it be the same thing?

“What is the purpose of the collar?” I asked.

Shamana took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “The collar is magically infused to prevent death—I mean, vampires from feeding, unless permission is granted by the collar’s owner.”

“How is that possible?” My curiosity spiked.

“The spell is calibrated perfectly to the owner’s voice. Once the collar is placed around a vampire’s neck, only the owner can remove it.”

I pinched my brows. Even I, known as the executioner of my kind, found distaste in hearing of the barbaric treatment of my kindred.

Shamana motioned me to an empty chair. “Tamara, please sit down.”

 I assumed I was not going to like what I was about to hear. I took a seat, crossed my arms and waited.

“At first, the mages thought it was a good plan, but as with any group of people, someone always has to expand on their ideas, no matter how twisted those ideas may be. It wasn’t long after that, that fighting arenas were built and the death…” She paused. “The vampires were pitted against each other, to the death. To win a fight increased the owner’s financial status, but it also meant that the vampire could feed.”

Shamana stood and started pacing. “Typical with any well-thought-out plan, the Royal guards missed a small clan hidden deep in the Acacia Mountains. Finding out what had happened, the clan’s master vowed that he would not rest until every mage was dead and the Acacia War officially began.”

I felt Jaz’s anger right before the kitchen door swung open and she stomped in. McKenzie was on her heels, apologizing. Jaz stopped abruptly and turned around so fast, McKenzie didn’t have time to stop and ran into her.

“That’s barbaric!” Jaz spat with closed fists. “I can’t believe you had a part in that.”

“Things are different for us,” McKenzie defended herself. “I didn’t know this world existed or that it was even possible for Death-Walkers to be accepted so easily.”

“It’s still barbaric.” Jaz raised a brow and cocked her head. “I suppose dogfights are normal for you people, too? Tell me, do you let them starve if they don’t win?” Her venomous voice echoed through the kitchen.

“Of course not!” McKenzie blurted. “That’s inhumane.”

“Oh, but starving a vampire isn’t?” Jaz snapped at her.

“Why are you taking this so personal?” McKenzie shifted her weight. Her lust permeated the air. On some profound level, she liked Jaz, a lot. “Their ways should not concern you. They are Death-Walkers,” emphasizing Death-Walkers.

Jaz stared at her for a moment, opened her mouth, closed it and pushed past McKenzie, heading out the open kitchen door.

“What?” McKenzie turned to us, raising her hands in a questioning way. “What did I do to her?”

No one spoke out at first and we just stared at her. Her lust now mixed with an underlying confusion.

“What?” McKenzie insisted.

“Perhaps she’s concerned that in your hands, she will have the same fate,” I whispered, appreciating the irony.

“No, that’s impossible! The Claiming Collar will only adhere to—” McKenzie stopped abruptly and looked at me. “Why didn’t it work on you?”

I smiled, showing my fangs. Now, I understood her failed attempt to imprison me. She was as ruthless at capturing vampires as I had been at terrorizing humans.

“Your magic will not work here. My magic protects the Estate and everyone within,” Shamana explained.

“Good going, little sister.” Izzy smirked. “You sure do have a way of making enemies quickly.”

McKenzie’s face twisted with concern. “She’s not like you,” she snarled at me. “She’s different! I have to find her,” she added, running out after Jaz.

Izzy turned her attention back to Shamana. “How do we fix this and get her home, where she belongs?”

“It is rumored that an ancient one lives deep within the cold North Carolina Mountains and holds the power to open the portal.”

My experience was that any ancient one was also dangerous. I was the perfect example of that.

“Oh goody,” Izzy said, lacking enthusiasm. “A road trip.”

I forced a smile sharing Izzy’s mood. “How much knowledge do you have of this ancient one?” I asked.

Shamana shifted in her seat. “Only what has been passed down through the generations. She is a solitary creature who enjoys her privacy. She will not accept you gracefully.”

“If that is the case, then she will not accept us gracefully,” I corrected Shamana, since she was the one with any knowledge of what we were walking into. By the goddesses will and my persuasion, she would join our little adventure.

“I’ll rent a van and make arrangements for our trip. Sounds like we’re going camping,” Stacia blurted out.

I had forgotten she was still in the kitchen with us and gave her a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look.

“Sorry. I love camping,” she confessed, reining in her excitement.

Izzy leaned forward, letting her head hit the table with a thump. “Okey-dokey then. Guess I’ll go pack.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll take care of all the arrangements,” Stacia said with a gleam as she left the kitchen.

“I’ll find Jaz and McKenzie and tell them to prepare for our journey,” Shamana said as she stood from the table. Putting a reassuring hand on Izzy’s shoulder, gave a squeeze and disappeared out the back

Chapter 4

“Tamara, please. We really need to pack.” Izzy noisily sucked on the hard candy in her mouth while she pushed me away, but I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I slid my hands around her waist again and pulled her toward me.

“We have time to finish what we started.” I kissed her neck.

“What am I going to do with you?” Her watermelon breath saturated the air.

“I can think of several things,” I whispered as I nibbled on her ear.

She relaxed into my embrace and leaned her head back. I laid gentle kisses on her neck and unzipped her jeans while slowly sliding my hand along her skin and under her panties.

Izzy’s biggest protest came in the form of a half-grunted no, but as I pressed my lips to hers, she abandoned her stance and surrendered to my whims. Undressing each other, we fumbled onto the bed, her lying on top of me. Izzy straddled across my hips, slowly rubbing herself against my crotch. Although, our pubic hairs were neatly trimmed, there was no greater joy than to feel the delight of her softness caressing my groin. It served as a gentle reminder of the pleasures that awaited me.

She fell forward, catching herself inches from my body and hovered above me. Her long brown hair hung from her head as blinders, blocking my view from the rest of the room.

“Put your hands behind your back,” she ordered while rubbing her crotch against me.

I obeyed.

Slowly, sliding down my body, her lips barely touched my skin while her moist tongue trailed down my neck and onto my chest. My nipple swelled, growing firm in her mouth.

“Don’t move,” she said as she leaned back, dragging her hair across my chest.

Anticipation flared with the possibility of accomplishing what we had previously started. I pushed aside any doubts about her unruly magic and enjoyed the arousal of her touch. Her hands trailed over my stomach and her tongue onto my pleasure-deprived treasures. Her hot breath engulfed me, cascading layers of desire onto my crotch. I raised my hips, but she pulled her mouth away from me, teasingly swiping my hood.

“Let me command your pleasures,” she whispered while pushing my hips back onto the mattress and snatching a quick lick.

Her suggestion burned inside me, claiming my will. She had become proficient using her voice, and now used it on me to gain the upper hand. Desire forced me to relax, allowing her complete access to my mind and body.

She parted my lips, and pressing her mouth around me, she enveloped my bundle in the same warmth as my opening. She settled there for several seconds, breathing her hot breath against me. Then her tongue followed the natural groove that led to my opening. As she licked the edges, allowing her tongue to slip inside me while she lapped my juices, she caressed my chest. Her hands ran along my sides, her soft touch exciting me even more. Then without notice, she dug her nails in, slowly scratching her way down and over my stomach. The abrupt pain flared my passion to life, threatening to consume every morsel of self-control I had left. I grabbed the sheets, pulling on them as my back arched higher. Lust pulsed through me, demanding release. I teetered on the brink of submission.

No! Not yet. Her order ricocheted through me as she pulled away and slowly crept her way up my body, leaving behind wet, sticky kisses.

“What’s wrong?” I tensed, startled that her magic started to take over. I raised my head looking around the quiet room and saw nothing out of place. No new relatives to contend with, no fairies and better yet, I felt no new appendages.

Her lips barely touched mine as she spoke. “Now, you have something to focus on while I pack.”

She grinned and kissed me. Her tongue explored my mouth and then pulled back. Mine followed. Feeling the tip of her moist tongue riveted me and I forced my tongue past her teeth. Our tongues played cat and mouse for a moment. Mine advanced and hers pulled back, before I realized the hard candy was absent. She wouldn’t have, would she? I broke from our kiss.

“You did not.”

She smiled and nodded. “I did.” She opened her mouth wide for inspection. “Lie there and let it melt. When I’m done packing, I’ll work at getting it out.”

“I was so close to coming.” I wiggled underneath her. “Why would you do that?”

“Because, I love watching you squirm.” She stood, then pointed at me. “Stay,” she commanded. “Let it melt.”

I closed my eyes and laid there in wait. Vampires have patience, but mine had run out weeks ago when Izzy pretended she was pregnant and her faulty magic started disrupting our sex life. Had I not promised her a monogamous relationship, I would have already had my needs met. I couldn’t help but wonder if this is what our relationship had turned into—her giving me one-word commands as if I were a dog, while my sexual needs sat on the back burner.

You were acting like a dog—a horny dog, she mentally replied.

I had forgotten she had finally embraced some of her vampire powers and my thoughts were no longer my own. I choose not to pursue this line of argument. It would do us no good. More to the point, it would do me, no good. Izzy had a way about herself that she could make the devil himself repent.

“It has melted,” I said, ignoring her comment.

“It’s not possible. It’s only been a few minutes,” she hollered from the closet.

“It is possible,” I protested.

She came out of the closet holding two blouses. “Which one looks better with jeans?”

I took a long moment to stare at the choices. “Neither…it has melted.”

With a sigh, she hung the blouses on the closet door handle and then turned her full attention to me. “I’ll check, but if it hasn’t…” She shook a finger at me. “You’ll be quiet and behave. Deal?” Without waiting for my response, she approached, and knelt next to the bed. “Spread ‘em.”

It’s been two months since she came into her sexual vampire phase and I still hadn’t gotten used to this new, self-confident Izzy. I looked into her eyes. She met my gaze and raised her brows in a well-what-are-you-waiting-for manner.

I did as ordered.

She rested her hands on my knees and spread my legs further apart, pulling on my all ready tight muscles. She leaned closer. Close enough that I felt her breath on my skin and with long, slow strokes, licked the outside of my cunt. Her lips suctioned around me and while she sucked the juices from my pussy, I felt the damn candy shift and slide out. Izzy stood.

“Tisk, tisk. Don’t move,” she ordered as she walked to her nightstand.

I heard the drawer open and close. She then perched in front of me again. Resuming her previous position, her lips enveloped my opening, but this time there was no sucking, only the feel of something pushing its way inside me. She ran her tongue along my ridge, momentarily swiping my bundle as she continued up through my trimmed triangle, up my belly, past my chest and neck. Instead of pressing her lips to mine, she hovered tantalizingly close, dangling the promise to kiss me. She grinned and plunged two fingers, deep inside me. My back arched from the sudden intrusion and my muscles gripped her.

“Uh-huh,” she whispered as if she had succeeded in getting the reaction she wanted from me.

She traced her sticky fingers along my bottom lip, leaving behind the smell of watermelon. She used her teeth to grab my lip and sucked on it while her tongue licked it clean.

Unbridled pleasure consumed me. I grabbed her, pulling her against me—hard. Forcing my tongue into her mouth, she bit and held it tightly.

Behave yourself, she ordered, invading my mind.

Everything she did, added fuel to the all ready burning passion that threatened to rule me. I tightened my grip around her and rolled us, positioning myself on top.

“I need you!” I panted.

“You need patience,” she corrected me. “I’ve upped the stakes. You have two candies to contend with now.”

My fangs dropped and my mind clouded. Even the best of us had a line where once crossed, we no longer governed our instincts. I lingered dangerously on the point where my lust would overpower me and I would take her by force if necessary.

With a quickness and strength I had not expected from her, she rolled us over and, maintaining eye contact, pinned my arms to the bed. She forced her lips to mine and slipped her tongue into my mouth. As of late, she had not cowered to me and oddly enough, I found it exciting. I raised my head, ravenously pressing our lips tighter together.

She pulled away. The browns of her eyes lightened and her pupils constricted to fine pinpoints. I watched her iris’s turn a pale green and then settle into a bright aqua glow while her fangs lowered.

Her magic had not interfered yet and, one way or another, I was determined to get satisfaction. I brought my arms up to grab her in my embrace, but instead, I heard the rattle of chains. I tugged to no avail. She had me chained to the bedpost.

Last year, we had experimented with BDSM and Izzy wanted to make sure that I would hold my strengths to the same standards as hers. We had hired a professional to come in and reinforce our bedpost with titanium steel, strong enough to withstand a vampire’s pull. Izzy supervised and approved the new modifications as well as the lightweight chains that were custom made with the same purpose in mind.

I tugged harder. It was no use. I couldn’t have broken free no matter how hard I tried. The new adjustments held my spread eagle arms in place. It scared me that I had let myself become so distracted that I hadn’t noticed her binding me. Her intent stare challenged my predator, exciting me more.

“Oh, baby.” She ran her fingers through my hair. “I know you’re frustrated, but you really should trust me.” She puffed out her bottom lip, pouting. “Now, give the candy time to melt.” She stood and held the blouses up, again. “Which one? Wait.” She said taking both the hangers in one hand. She stood at the edge of the bed, between my open legs. “I almost forgot,” she said as she rammed three fingers deep inside me. “I felt your intentions, you bad girl.” She pushed her fingers deeper. My back arched, mainly from pleasure with a hint of pain. “If you ever take any pleasure from me by force, I’ll stake you while you sleep. Is that understood?”

I nodded.

“I can’t hear you.”

In one quick breath, I shouted, “Yes. God damn it.”

“Good girl.” She slid her fingers out of me and as she caressed my pubes, she wore an expression I had never seen on her before. It was as if she had considered her options and was comfortable with her decision. If pressed, I knew Izzy would make good on her word. Licking her fingers clean of my juices, she held both hangers up again. “Which one?”

She had been right to tie me up. Even under the most strenuous circumstances, I had never lost control. I tried convincing myself I was just too tired.

“Neither one. We are going deep into the Blue Ridge Mountains not on a day trip.”

“Don’t be so reasonable. Which one looks the best?” She held one blouse against her chest and then the other. Both looked good on her.

There wasn’t a chance in hell I could convince her to abandon her ridiculous candy idea especially after I had been so dangerously close to overstepping my boundaries, so I bit back a sarcastic remark and said, “The blue one looks the best on you.”

She held it up, inspecting it and then put her hand against the back of the shirt. “Uh. I see why you like it. You can see through it.”

“Of course I can see through it. A blind man could see through that!” I snapped.

She looked at me with those brown lost puppy dog eyes that said, What the hell? without actually saying it.

Exactly. What the fuck just happened and why was I getting angry, again? I hadn’t felt this kind of raw anger in almost one hundred years, but it was there, slowly consuming me, eating me at me from the inside out. I decided my best plan was to lie quietly and wait, which gave me time to think. The only thing that had changed was McKenzie showing up and deciding to go in search of this Ancient One. Was it possible that McKenzie could somehow alter my mood? Then the thought that Izzy had involuntarily brought a threat into my home spread through me like an infecting virus attacks its host. Reacting to the perception of danger, my muscles tensed and my senses heightened. I didn’t fare well tied up, ever, and the restraints Izzy used felt as though my wrists were on fire. I could see nothing more than being in a vulnerable position, defenseless for attack and my anger jumped to a new level, unleashing my bloodthirsty vampire.

 “For the love of blood!” I spat as I tugged harder against the chains. “Must I—”

“Stop being diffic—” she interrupted me. “Oh, God. Tamara, what’s wrong?” She rushed to my side and started undoing the shackles.

Yes, to have but a moment of freedom is all I needed.

I pushed her hand away. “No! Don’t,” I ordered through clenched teeth. My mind raced with ideas to hurt Izzy. To devour my weakest vampires. I saw betrayals were none existed. In a moment of clarity, I mumbled, “My mind is not my own.”

She sat up straighter than I had ever seen. Her shoulders firm, filled with a confidence I knew she didn’t possess. The soft features of her face were now hard and stoic. Her brown eyes that shone with the light of her soul had turned completely white as she stared out into an empty abyss, never making contact with me. I fought to control my raging fear. Intense pain gripped me. It felt as though someone had tried to rip sections of my brain apart. I tried to scream, but my voice didn’t cooperate.

“Someone is trying to use you as their instrument, to claim you as their own.” When she spoke, her expression never changed, nor did she look at me and her voice was deeper, echoing as if a choir of women spoke in unison. I released her hand. I would not hold her if there was a chance we could hurt each other, but she tightened her fingers around mine.

“I see your aura changing as it gains power over you. You have held a part of yourself from me, Tamara Hightower,” she declared. “Now, it seeks entry through that part which you do not share.” She jerked to head toward me, looking me in the eye. “Open that part to me.” Her words flickered some relief through the torturous agony.

She laid her other hand on my chest and that’s all it took. Everything around me disappeared. My mind opened without any barriers. She jolted back, obviously unprepared for the energy I pushed through her. In an instant, I was standing there, watching memories of my past flash before me with Izzy at my side. Now, I understood my mood swing. Someone had summoned me through my memories and they were strong enough to pull Izzy in, too.

I couldn’t escape the terror-filled screams of the people I had hurt or worse yet, killed. The multitude of cries I left behind by satiating my thirst on someone else’s loved one. The blood curling shrieks of the women that I had forced myself upon. Then Mila’s screams drowned out the others. My true love cried, pleading for me to help her, but I was younger then and could not wake before the sun had set. I laid in wait, trapped inside a secret stone chamber, listening to her gruesome cries as each of the village men took their pleasures with my Mila before they staked her. Narrowly missing her heart wasn’t enough for them. Groaning, from the pain, they dragged her into the full light of day, laughing as they watched her burn to death.

Izzy turned to me. “I’m so sorry,” she said as she laid a gentle touch on my cheek. “I had no idea you had suffered so much.”

I knew what came next, and I didn’t want her to see it. That day, a piece of me died with Mila, and I turned more ruthless than ever as I sought revenge. At first, my vengeance rained down on the townspeople. Their pleading for mercy fueled my savage desire for vengeance. The more blood I spilled, the colder my heart grew. I embraced the sadistic monster within me, even though I knew Mila would not approve. I learned new ways of prolonging a human’s death. It is a myth to say that vampires automatically lose their souls. No, we don’t lose them—we ignore them. When it suits our needs, we turn off our compassion and the ability to love. If we weren’t able to, our conscious would not allow us to feed and it was the memory of Mila’s unconditional love for children that kept them safe from my clutches. Several years of bombarding the town with terror and death, I had finally killed the last remaining man who took her from me and my rage subsided, partially.

Izzy gasped and then nudged me, motioning me to look at my hands. As I brought them up, I saw blood. There was too much of it to be mine. Slowly, the warm thickness started running down my arms and dripped off my elbows, forming a puddle at my feet. I rubbed my hands together, but the blood continued to come, no way of stopping it. I had never wanted Izzy to see the blood I had spilled or know the terror I had caused. I wanted to protect her from such evils in the world, but that was over now. I still couldn’t help hiding my hands behind my back, away from her view.

Izzy reached around me taking my bloody hand in hers, intertwined our fingers and gently squeezed as the memories continued to divulge themselves.

I slept. I woke. I fed. I killed others of my kind who broke our laws. I adapted to the hole I had in my heart and the darkness I carried within me. Until I met Izzy. Suddenly, I came face-to-face with a woman who resembled my Mila, not in body, but in spirit.

I remembered the night I noticed her. I was in Lake Worthington hunting a renegade vampire who openly defied my mother’s laws by feeding and killing a human in public. Izzy was parked across the street from Kaley’s donor center, asleep in her bright canary yellow VW bug. Suitcases piled high in the small back seat and empty food wrappers littered the passenger side floor. Her presence silently called to me, beckoning me as if we had been apart a thousand life times. Unbeknownst to her, I had watched over her and protected her from the evils that lurked on the streets. I had helped her without her knowing. I even snuck money into her purse. I had been the one to convince Kaley to approach her and the guilt was eating me. If I had let her be, she would not have ended up, as she is today, a half-witchling vampire.

The memories faded, revealing a dimly lit, sparse room. The grey floor, walls, and ceiling blended into itself making it difficult to tell where one ended and the other began. I silently prayed. My mind filled with more of the pain and heartache I had caused.

“How do you like your vampire, now?” A familiar woman’s voice called from nowhere.

“Show yourself!” I demanded into the nothingness.

“This is not your concern, Tamara. It is between your half-human and me. Tell me, Isabella Denzier, would you die for the corpse that stands next to you?”

Pain gripped me. I tried to release Izzy’s hand, but she gripped tighter as I fell to my knees.

“Stop it!” Izzy yelled. “You’re hurting her.”

“Answer me!” the voice demanded and my pain intensified. My nerve endings burned as if sunlight had settled comfortably upon them and I felt my warm bloody tears run down my face. “Would you die for the corpse that stands with you?”

“Yes!” Izzy screamed. “Stop it.”

“No!” I yelled before I fell to the floor. Our fingers still entwined, I pulled Izzy with me, but she did not attempt to free her hand from mine. Instead, she caressed my back as I laid curled in a fetal position.

“Join your lover,” the woman declared.

Instantly, Izzy fell on top of me, screaming.

“No!” I protested as my pain multiplied, I lay crippled. Izzy pushed herself off me, landing where she could see my face. “Stop. Hurting. Her!”

As quickly as the pain started, it disappeared, leaving us both face to face with each other.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

Izzy half-smiled. “Yeah, are you?”

“How sentimental,” the voice echoed with a different tone. It carried a hint of compassion instead of judgment and anger.

 I stood and helped Izzy up, before realizing I was no longer trapped in my hellish room of memories. We stood in the shade of a large majestic oak tree with green luscious grass under our feet. Butterflies skirted around us, landing on nearby flowers. A light flowing stream ran only a few feet from where we were. A woman with long, straight black hair wearing a long black dress sat on the large boulder to our right. Her skin was as pale as the snow-topped mountains in the background. I didn’t recognize the stranger, yet she seemed oddly familiar. She smiled and held out her hand, not in a threatening way, but in a comforting manner. Her energy flowed of acceptance, compassion and unconditional love. I wanted to bask in her presence, to have her hold me, love me and never let me go.

“Has it been that long Tamara?” she asked. Her voice washed over me and through me with a trusting melody, my body remembered.

“Who is that?” Izzy whispered as she slipped her arm around my waist. Protectively, I put my arm over her shoulders, cradling her close to me.

“Come,” the woman said. “Let us talk.”

I slowly approached her, moving Izzy with me. The closer I got, the more familiar she became. Then, I hesitated. There was something about her energy that seemed so inviting, so loving. My soul knew her and I craved to be in her presence.

“Tamara, do not be afraid.” She smiled. “I will not hurt you or your new love.”

She said that and I stood frozen as the memories rushed back to me. It was Mila, I was sure of it. Had time unjustly erased my memories?

“You are dead. I heard you meet your true death.” I said it more to convince myself that Mila was gone and to remind myself that there are forces within our universe that try to wreak havoc with the unsuspecting.

“Death has many stages,” she reassured me.

I desperately wanted to accept her answer and hold her as I once did, but I was skeptical and kept my distance.

“Isabella,” Mila motioned to Izzy.

“Izzy,” she corrected her.

“Very well, Izzy.” Mila extended her hand to her. “We have never met, but we share a common love. I wish only to speak with you both. Will you allow it?”

“Times have changed,” I blurted out. “It is not necessary to have a spouse’s approval to speak with a past love.” I wasn’t convinced it was Mila, but I played along to see if I could find truth in her words.

“I see.” Mila shifted her weight and gingerly crossed her legs. If memory served me correctly, she always held an air of refined class. “You hold me dearly in your heart, but is it not for Izzy that you physically keep me at a distance?”

“No, it is not for her.” I lowered my voice. “You feel different. It’s as if you’re more alive now. “

“Yes.” She paused. “Death does have certain advantages.” She rested her hands on her knees. “I was summoned from my resting place by someone who loves you dearly. They pleaded their case, insisting that your new love,” she glanced at Izzy, “had corrupted you. They urged me to rectify your misgivings, but I see now that Izzy is not the root of your problem.” She gave a sigh of disapproval. “You have corrupted yourself, my love.”

For centuries, I carried the guilt with me. If only I could have done something other than hide from our attackers, perhaps Mila would still be alive today. I sealed a piece of my heart and soul off from the rest of the world, nursing my failure, determined never to love as deeply and purely as I once loved her. Unfortunately, that also meant I kept my love for Izzy guarded, as well.

“I failed you,” I spontaneously confessed without thinking.

“Why didn’t you tell me you felt that way?” Izzy asked.

“Because I failed you, too.” Izzy opened her mouth to argue, I’m sure, but before she had the chance, I added, “I failed to keep you safe from my sister. I failed to keep you safe from my world. I failed to keep you alive.”

“So, it is because of your shame that you will not step closer to me?” Mila asked.

She never was one to mix words, but it was not shame that kept me at arm’s length from the one’s I loved. First, I lost Mila, then my sister, Kaley. My mother, Katherine, lays in stasis recuperating and I nearly lost Izzy not once, but twice. I could have argued that her shame and my caution were the same difference.

“Is that true?” Izzy caressed my arm. “Do you feel ashamed?”

I subtly shifted my weight away from Izzy as I looked into her eyes. There stood a woman whose life was majorly altered by me and my own and yet, she had trusted me, supported me and protected me. There was no denying that she had nothing but unconditional love for me and I continued to guard a piece of my heart, for fear of being hurt.

“Forgive yourself, Tamara,” Mila whispered. “As I forgave you.”

I tore myself away from Izzy’s comforting gaze and approached Mila with my vampiric speed, standing with our faces merely inches apart. “You have no right to ask that of me,” I snapped through clenched teeth.

“No, perhaps I do not, but,” she looked me in the eye, “Izzy does.”

“Leave her out of this,” I warned as I fought back the urge to kiss her tender lips, one last time. Abruptly, I stepped back, putting distance between us as the longing rose to the surface, but it was more than that that overwhelmed me. It was feeling the lost of all I had been denied that dreadful day. Our last kiss, the feel of her skin, the sound of her laughter and the warmth of her smile. It all crashed upon me at once and I realized, I had just shed my first bloody tear for Mila.

“She’s right,” Izzy agreed and for a moment, I thought I felt my heart beat.

I continued to face Mila, hoping she would not speak of my tear. She smiled and subtly nodded as if agreeing to keep it between us. How was it possible that after all these years, I would end up bearing my soul to my dead ex-lover, in front of my current love?

“Layla,” I mumbled.

“This is not about her. This is about you and the healing that is long overdue,” Mila answered. “Forgive yourself, Tamara, if not for me, then for Izzy. I have always loved you enough to want to see you happy, even if it meant to see you with someone else.” She smiled at Izzy as if giving her approval. “Both of you face difficult times ahead. If you are to survive, you must open your heart to her, as you did for me.”

“Wait a minute!” Izzy clamored. “What difficult times?”

Mila motioned Izzy forward and she followed. The two sat on the boulder for several minutes and whispered amongst themselves. I strained to hear their private conversation, but I caught only the sound of the soft wind blowing. They both stood and hugged. I did not like this new alliance between them. Izzy returned to my side and as Mila started to fade from view, she said, “My love is always with you.”

Everything went black.

I opened my eyes to find myself still tied to our bed. It had not been a dream.

“Stay here and don’t move a muscle,” Izzy said, standing there, giving me a stern look. “That’s an order!” She moved to her nightstand and pulled out a vibrator. “Better, yet , I’ll give you something to keep you focused.” She squirted lube on it and returned with a devilish grin. “Spread em. Wide.”

“Is it not enough that we just encountered my dead lover? Do you think I need more torment? Untie me so that we can talk.”

“Nope. No talking now. Stop stalling and spread um. That’s an order,” she insisted.

Against my better judgment, I spread my legs and the long, thin toy slowly slid inside me, then jumped to life. “Close your legs. Your job is to hold it in place without using your hands.”

As she guided my legs together, my muscles tightened around the energetic vibrations and I immediately felt my juices escape.

“Oh, and don’t come,” she added as an afterthought.

I closed my eyes, battling between helping the little toy fulfill its unsanctioned mission and bearing my soul to her. There were many things I wanted to discuss. I felt the overwhelming need to explain myself along with the atrocities I had committed. I wanted to reassure her that even though I was a bloodthirsty vampire that I had changed, not necessarily for her, but because of her. I felt the need to apologize, which I didn’t understand. I had done nothing wrong, but the desire was there.

“Now, where were we?”

Curiosity made me open my eyes.

“Oh, yes.”

I watched as she picked up the shirt she had dropped on the floor and then pulled a small suitcase from the closet. “Yes, I think I’ll take this one.” She hung the blue shirt back up and folded the black one, packing it into the luggage.

“Are we not going to discuss what just happened?” I asked, confused. “Are there no questions that you have for me?”

“No, my love.” She pulled clothes from my drawer and neatly packed my suitcase.

It was difficult to concentrate on our lack of discussion while her vibrator worked its magic inside me. I felt the incessant pull of my desires building. It ran through my system, slowly creeping into each leg, then working its way up my torso. By the time, it had reached my arms and hands, it had ripened from a gentle twinge into full-blown desperation. I tried ignoring the sexual frenzy that collided against my stubbornness.

“I don’t understand,” I finally confessed after I watched her zip our luggage and place it by the door.

“What’s to understand? I met your dead lover and she’s no threat to me. I’ve seen some of your past of which, I’m sure there’s more I don’t know about. Big deal. It’s the past.” She smiled. “It doesn’t change the fact that I love you and I love making you come.”

“This has something to do with what Mila said to you, doesn’t it?” My emotions were out of control and had run rampant. I just couldn’t leave it alone as Izzy suggested. “What did she say to you?”

She stopped abruptly and stared at me, then giggled. “She said to keep you distracted while the candy melts.”

“I do not find that humorous. Tell me what Mila said.”

Izzy stuck her hand between my legs and the vibrator kicked into a faster speed. My muscles clamped down around it as my juices escaped, welcoming it.

“No! Enjoy yourself. We’ll talk later.”

Intent on fighting the pleasure she provided, I wandered into the mind of my most trusted friend, Jaz. As I entered into her thoughts, Jaz screamed in passion, driving her fangs into McKenzie’s shoulder. I saw the blood trickle into Jaz’s mouth and it riled me even more. That was not the distraction I hoped to get, so I severed the mental connection to find Izzy straddled across my legs, her face mere inches from mine.

“You should have asked before you ventured into Jaz’s mind.” She shook her head disapprovingly.

“Now I need permission to check on my minion?” Minion was a harsh word to use when referring to Jaz, but I hoped Izzy would understand the subtle ownership remark.

“I don’t care,” she said and then snickered. “McKenzie has the gift of enhancing her partner’s pleasure and when you entered Jaz’s mind, McKenzie was already there.”

“And this concerns me how?”

“Well, when you entered Jaz’s mind, by default, McKenzie entered yours and the same way you knew what they were doing.” She paused. “They now know what we’ve been doing.”

“And you know this how?” I gritted my teeth.

“Apparently, my sister and I have a natural bond with each other and she just had to congratulate me on taming you.”

My anger toward Izzy’s meddling sister rose and my fangs dropped into feeding position. I had had enough of McKenzie. If we couldn’t get her home soon, I would personally volunteer to dispose of her.

“Uh-huh,” Izzy reprimanded me. “It not time for those, yet.” She ran a finger across my pointed daggers. “Maybe, you need to remember where you are.” She slid her other hand between my legs and pushed the vibrator further into me.

“Okay,” I yelped as the intensity overwhelmed me. “I won’t hurt her. Please.” I licked my parched lips. “I’ll do anything. Please.”

“Would you beg?”

“Yes.”

“Would you grovel?”

“Yes.”

“Would you agree to owe me a favor?”

“Yes.”

“Any favor I may ask of you, without question?”

“Anything,” I desperately agreed.

“Your word?”

“Yes! My word, please…”

She grinned, then climbed on top of me, turning so her back was to me. Slowly scooting her way up my body, she laid gentle kisses and quick nips on my flesh. With her mouth close to my groin, I shot my hip up, hoping to rub my pussy on her lips. The higher I went, the more the toy slid out. She slid it back in place, flicked her tongue on my clit and then sat up, resting on my stomach. “Easy. Don’t drop the toy,” she demanded, tormenting me while holding it in place.

She pushed me onto the bed and continued her meticulous kissing and biting until her scent and her crotch were within inches of my mouth. “Kiss me.” She lowered herself to where I had to raise my head to obey her commands.

My lips pressed against her wet labia and my tongue darted out, tasting the sweet juices that escaped her. She immediately pulled herself up and my head dropped to the mattress.

“Did I say you could have a taste?”

“Please, give me this,” I begged.

“Oh, you’ll get it, believe me.” She reached for the bed’s post and released the locking mechanism on the chains attached to the bed. The track, designed to run vertically along the posts then continue horizontally in the upper panels also featured a locking device for some of our more physical sexual activities. Positioning herself next to me on the bed, she pulled the chain attached to my right wrist over and into the same post what held the other restraint, then locked each two-foot chain in place.

“On your knees.”

I couldn’t resist her demands. As I climbed onto my knees, she positioned her head directly underneath and between my legs, pulling the toy from me. Wrapping her arms around my groin, she slowly ran her tongue up the inside of my thighs.

My legs trembled from the excitement of hovering over her willing mouth. I felt her warm breath lightly brush against my pubic hair and I dropped my weight. She tightened her grip, stopping my hurried descent. Poised where she wanted me, she dug her nails into my flesh. I tensed waiting for her to plunge her tongue into me, but instead, she daintily swiped across my lips.

I arched my back and threw my head back. “Please,” I desperately begged.

Briskly, she pulled my waist down, landing my loins directly on her mouth and her tongue into my empty opening. Impulse made me thrust against her face, but she held me in place. Her tongue repeatedly slid in and out of me summoning my juices while she vigorously sucked them from inside me. Plummeted by the waves of lust, my mind went blank as my body obeyed her demands, unconditionally supplying her with my sweet nectar. I was captive to her whims, held in a state of sexual delirium.

The warmth of her tongue shifted, slowly moving forward, licking its way to my sensitive hood. My back arched further and my knees dug into the mattress for support as I thrust my swollen nub to her lips. At last, after weeks of sexual interruptions, I was close to unleashing.

Not yet, my love. Her thought broke through the frenzy of my mind, riveting me a step further from my release. I struggled to disregard her suggestion, but my body denied me my free will. I yelled out in frustration. Izzy had settled deep within my mind and now I was truly her captive.

Open your heart. She continued the merciless teasing.

I frantically searched for a way to understand what she asked of me. I had swallowed my pride, endangered my existence and fought my sister Kaley, for her. I would have given my existence to protect her than to live a single moment in the absence of her presence. The mere thought of an eternity without Izzy by my side, overwhelmed me. I had protected her because I loved her more than I had loved anyone and it was for that reason, I had guarded my heart. I didn’t want to forget my love for Mila.

Love us both.

Izzy’s unselfish comment tore down the last barrier that kept me caged in my own guilt.

As I filled my heart with the presence of the two women that completed me, Izzy lapped the tip of my clit while piercing her fang into my erect bungle. Our energies entwined, spiraling into a single source of erotic passion born of love. A love so pure, that sharing only a minuscule of it brought tears to my eyes.

Come, my love.

My orgasm gripped me, not as it had done in the past, violently ripping its way through me for the satisfaction of delight, but warmly enveloping me in a blanket of fulfillment and compassion. Each peak’s percussion cradled itself molding the next culmination, until the climactic end claimed my strength and I fell forward, landing on the bed facing her.

“Did I hurt you?” Izzy wiped away the bloody tears that stained my face.

“That was amazing.”

“Tears of joy?”

I nodded.

“Do you want more?” She kissed my back.

“No,” I whimpered. “I want to savor what I just felt.”

“I called the center before we started.” Izzy sat up. “A donor is on the way.”

I rolled onto my back. “You planned this?”

“Of course.” She grinned.

“But, you had refused me.”

“No. I only played hard to get. I had planned everything, well…” She paused. “Everything except Mila.”

Yes, it was a shock to see my dead ex-lover and I wished I had been a little more receptive to her, but I couldn’t live my life on regrets. If there came a day when we should meet again, I wouldn’t be such an ass to her. Turning my attention to what I did have, I was extremely proud of Izzy’s sneakiness, but there was one thing I didn’t understand.

“Your magic?” I picked my head up. “How did you keep it from interfering? Have you learned to control it?”

“Well, no.” She bit her lip. I raised my brow, curious at how we finally managed to finish what we had started. “Actually…Shamana controlled it for me.” She lowered her voice.

“Perhaps, she could help you. She is a Bruja and I’ve heard she’s even revered for her knowledge in Gaia.”

Izzy stared at me, dumbfounded. Then smiled and unlocked the shackles from my wrists. I decided my attempt at humor needed more work.

“Knock, knock.” A woman’s southern accent voice called from the hallway.

Izzy excitedly jumped out of bed, naked, ran across the room and flung open the door. She threw her arms around a woman wearing a cowgirl hat.

“Girl,” the stranger said, hugging her back. “I knew you couldn’t get enough of me. I’m too sweet to pass up.” They both laughed as they pulled away from each other.

“You’re not here for me,” Izzy said and then laughed. “Tamara needs you this time.”

“The Matriarch?” she whispered.

Izzy chuckled. “Yes and you don’t need to whisper. I’m sure she heard you.” Izzy turned to me, “Tamara, this is Vicky. A friend of mine from the center. Be nice to her. We go way back.” She turned to Vicky. “That’s Tamara, and yes, she’s the Clan’s Matriarch.”

She leaned in close to Izzy’s ear. “I ain’t never met her before. She okay?”

I had to chuckle. Here was this woman, in my home asking my wife, if I, Matriarch of the Clan was okay.

Izzy slid her arm around Vicky’s arm and led her to the bed. “I think you’ll find Tamara better than okay. I promise.” She winked at me and placed Vicky’s hand in mine. “I’ll get dressed while you feed.”

Vicky looked down at me. “Alrighty then, how you wanna do this? Want me to get naked, too?”

It amazed me that only after a few words of reassurance from Izzy, Vicky had total faith in me. A smile crept across my face. “No, but please do sit down.”

“Wow. You’re an eye catcher and polite. You got yourself a good one, girl,” she called out to Izzy.

“Please.” I slightly tugged on her hand. She took off her hat and rested it on her knee as she sat on the edge of the bed.

Because she was one of Izzy’s friends, I entered her mind before I ever touched her. The effects of my mental manipulation were immediate as I distorted her reality, ensuring that she would have a pleasurable outcome. She closed her eyes and moaned softly. Slowly, I eased her back onto the bed, letting her knees dangle over the edge of the mattress. She regarded us as an extension of the human race, liking us to a Nationality, not the mindless blood crazed monster adults tend to fantasize about.

I moved Vicky’s long hair as I caressed her neckline.

“Oh, yes,” Vicky moaned.

“Will you please, just feed,” Izzy interjected. She stood just outside the closet wearing shorts, a white tee shirt and a pair of flip-flops.

“What?” she asked as she caught me staring at her. “We’re travelling. It’s not like I need to look pretty.”

She slung a duffle bag over her shoulder and grabbed our suitcases.

“Oh.” She stopped and turned to me. “I grabbed some clothes for Vicky in case you want to bring her along.” She blew me a kiss and left.

I rolled my eyes and dug my fangs deep into Vicky’s neck.

Chapter 5

Stacia hadn’t rented a van. She rented a forty-foot motor home equipped with a kitchen, living area with two pull out beds, bathroom and a bedroom. Everyone’s luggage was neatly tucked away in the under belly of this motorized beast while it pulled a 4x4 off-road jeep behind us. We had all the comforts of home as we steadily cruised north on Interstate 95.

Stacia had put blackout curtains on the bedrooms windows, which Jaz and I occupied. McKenzie, Shamana, Vicky and Izzy settled on the two pull out beds and couches while Stacia took the first shift driving.

From Lake Worthington to the North Carolina state line was only a six-hour drive, then another three hours to Cold Mountain. Jaz and I slept most of the way there and being older vampires, we woke before the sun fell on the horizon.

“Would you mind letting McKenzie and I use the bedroom for a little while?” Jaz broke the silence between us. She had tilted her head, exposing her neck in the traditional submissive and respectable manner.

Jaz was not required to show such formalities with me in private, which meant this request was important to her. I only hoped that she was not falling in love with McKenzie as we were trying to her home.

“Is that your polite way of throwing me out?” I laughed, livening up the mood.

Jaz blushed. “This one is special to me.” She lowered her gaze. “I can’t explain it.”

“Oh, I think I can.” I paused. “She will not be with us much longer. You should take heed to protect your heart, my friend.”

Jaz snapped her head up. “Her ideas irritate the hell out of me and her atrocities toward our kind are unforgiveable!”

“Agreed, but that does not change the fact that you care deeply for this woman.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I feel as though she completes the part of me that I lost so many years ago.”

I couldn’t ignore what she said—McKenzie completed her. I knew exactly how that felt and here we were, racing down the highway to find a way to send her home. I did not like McKenzie, apart from the fact that she tried to capture me and when that failed, opted trying to kill me, something about her rubbed me the wrong way. However, if Jaz believed this woman to be her soul mate, in spite of how it would complicate matters, I would allow it. As it stood, they could enjoy each other’s company, have sex and bid their farewells when we found a portal to send McKenzie home. If Jaz asked for my approval, it would be because they had discussed their options. One, Jaz could choose to go back with McKenzie to a way of life she completely disapproved of and I would be faced with the decision of allowing Jaz out of my service or not. Two, McKenzie could decide to stay here, which would create some serious repercussions to her health as I’m sure many vampires would want her head for the atrocities she committed against our kind. Then, there’s Izzy, who so far, hasn’t indicated any interest in rolling out the welcome mat to her sister.

 I stood and gave Jaz a kiss on the forehead. “Let me know if you want my approval.”

“You would give it…considering her crimes against you, against us?” Jaz sounded surprised.

“As displeasing as her actions were, it is not a crime to attack the Matriarch of a clan.” I smiled. “As for her other actions, those are not considered crimes in her world…only in ours.” I gently cupped her face in my hands. “Perhaps, you should focus your tender nature on showing her, her flawed thinking instead of harboring on her past actions?”

“Thank you,” she said and jumped out of bed, calling for McKenzie.

Izzy had accompanied Vicky on a short outing into town. When they returned, Izzy was in good spirits until she realized that Jaz and McKenzie had locked themselves up in the bedroom.

 “Oh. My. God! How much longer are they going to be?” Izzy stomped toward the closed door at the back of the mobile home, stopped, turned around and stomped back into the small living space, stopping directly in front of me. “They’ve been going at it for hours.” She raised her brow and tightened her lips.

“Have you forgotten that we were once accused of the same thing?”

“That was different,” she defended. “We were celebrating our honeymoon.”

“If memory serves correctly, it was before the union that we locked ourselves in the bedroom.”

She stopped pacing and stared at me. “That. Was. Different.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, do something,” she demanded. “She’s your vampire. She has to listen to you.”

I picked up the Cold Mountain Visitors Guide Shamana had gotten for me and hid my face behind the open book.

Izzy tapped her foot for several minutes, than barked, “Tamara!”

I laid the guide on the table in front of me. “What would you like me to do? They are both grown women.”

“They can’t do this.” Izzy cocked her hips.

“Their excursion did not bother you when we were at the estate. What changed?” I pushed back the chair I sat in and motioned for Izzy to sit on my lap. “Come, talk to me.”

Izzy hesitated, then joined me. “We’re that much closer to finding my parents.” She held her thumb and index fingers close together, showing a small gap. “That much closer to sending McKenzie home. I don’t want her getting hurt.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and cuddled her face against my neck.

“Your sister can handle her own affairs,” I consoled her. “She’s a grown woman.”

“It’s not my sister I’m worried about.” Izzy sighed. “She might be normal in her world, but I consider her a monster in mine, and she’s in there, alone, with Jaz. What if McKenzie hurts her? I’ll never forgive myself.”

I cradled my arms around her, not saying a word about the possibility that McKenzie might extend her stay with us. Instead, I just held Izzy, close.

The bedroom door opened and McKenzie slowly staggered out. Knowing Jaz and her methods, I’m sure she put a world of hurt on McKenzie while they both took pleasure. Izzy stared, watching her sister limberly maneuver and plop down on the couch.

Izzy threw my Visitor’s guide at McKenzie. “What did you do to her?”

“What?” McKenzie stared back at Izzy.

“Forget it!” Izzy huffed and then charged into the bedroom. A few moments later, she appeared in the living room holding her hand up. “Talk to the hand,” she announced to Jaz who followed behind her.

“You should not have asked if you don’t want to know,” Jaz warned.

“Don’t explain how a vacuum cleaner figures into that!” Izzy snapped. “I didn’t want specifics.”

“But that’s what you asked for,” Jaz countered.

“I did not!” Izzy stomped her foot.

“Did you not ask what she did to me?” Jaz folded her arms across her chest, waiting.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

“Well, I don’t read your mind!” Jaz spat back.

“Tamara, talk to her!” Izzy barked while pointing at Jaz.

When the vacuum cleaner remark came into play, I had a feeling it would summon me into the heated conversation.

“Very well.” I stood. “Jaz, outside!” I ordered, knowing that the sun had all ready set.

“Why outside?” Izzy bit out her question.

“I would prefer to speak with Jaz in private and there is no privacy in this tin can.”

I felt Izzy reigning in her anger. “Oh.” She took a deep breath and peeked out the window. “You’re safe, the sun has set.”

“Yes, dear, I know.” I kissed Izzy on the forehead and turned to Jaz. “Please, come with me.”

As soon as we were outside, Jaz started defending herself. “I did nothing without her consent. She is a grown woman, Mistress. I would never take advantage of Izzy’s sister.”

I raised my hand, stopping her and then motioned for her to follow me. I wanted space between us and the overgrown sardine can we were nestled in. As we strolled along the gravel path, Jaz’s neck and shoulders were stiff. No doubt, she had been expecting me to forbid her relationship with McKenzie, but I had all ready given her my word that I would approve of their courting.

“Relax, my friend.” I headed for an empty picnic table. “I wish only to know your decision about McKenzie.” I smiled.

“What about Izzy?” she asked, concerned.

“What about her?” I shrugged.

“She’ll have a fit if McKenzie had decided to stay here with me.”

“She’ll also get over it. What have you decided?”

Jaz sat on the table next to me. “We have both agreed that her world is too dangerous for me.” She shook her head. “I would not allow myself to be placed in a collar and she would never be able to profess her love for me. We could never have the life we wish to have.” She swung her foot, kicking a small rock near her foot.

“However, if she stayed here, she would have to give up her life of luxury, not to mention her position for the throne.” Jaz paused, kicking another rock. “There are many vampires that would love to seek revenge for what she had done to our kind. Before we…she, could make the decision to stay, she would need the protection of a strong, well-established clan.”

At best, McKenzie could not go without protection and expect to live more than a couple of days. I had already offered Jaz my approval, and against my better judgment, I needed to make good on it and offer McKenzie my protection.

“I suspect that our lives are about to get a little complicated,” I said, jumping to my feet.

Jaz sat straight up.

“We must go tell Izzy her sister chose to remain with us.”

“You’ll pledge her protection?” Jaz snapped enthusiastically.

“Yes.”

She jumped up, landing in my arms and hugged me tightly. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, yet. I still have to tell Izzy.” I chuckled.

We were on our way back when screams erupted from inside the motor home. I took off running with Jaz on my heels. As we approached, the door swung open and Vicky flew out, landing hard against the pavement.

“They have her!” she yelled, pointing inside the mobile van.

I jumped through the front door and found Shamana lying on her side, her face bloodied. Stacia was underneath the small table, unconscious. Only two people were missing. McKenzie and Izzy. Jaz came out of the bedroom shaking her head.

“Nothing.”

I went to Vickie’s side and helped her stand. “What happened?” I asked as I brought her to her feet. “Where are Izzy and McKenzie?”

The fear lodged on her face told me the worst was yet to come.

“After you guys left, McKenzie went for a walk.” Her southern accent carried a particularly heavy drawl. “We were just talkin’ when these two men just showed up and grabbed Izzy. Stacia hit one of them, but he threw some damn ball at her and she went out like a light.”

I let go of Vicky, but she staggered and so I grabbed her to keep her from falling.

“Then Shamana threw something at them, but it bounced off and hit her, instead. I grabbed Izzy and the other man kicked me into the door, and that’s when I fell out.”

I opened my mind and pushed my thoughts out, searching for Izzy. I felt a small cluster of vampires some twenty miles away. I pushed further and found a few renegade vampires from another clan, hiding deep within the mountains. They did not respond to me. I would deal with them later. I stretched more tentacles of my thoughts even further. I had covered several hundred miles and still no Izzy.

“What men?” I asked trying to contain my anger.

“Ain’t never seen them,” she said, shaken. “But they had funny looking purple pants.”

“The Royals Guards,” I muttered.

“What about them?” McKenzie asked from behind me.

I released Vicky and grabbed McKenzie’s shirt flinging her into the motor home. I followed as she flew backward and I watched the tin can shake as she hit its outer wall. I grabbed her before she slid down and pushed her against the parked trailer.

“Where did they take her?” I yelled in her face.

“Who?” she asked as I placed my hand on her throat, lifting her feet off the ground while I squeezed.

“Tamara, please.” Jaz stood next to me as McKenzie gasped for air. “Please, Mistress,” She begged while showing me her neck, then dropped to one knee. “She’s human. You’ll kill her.”

I couldn’t believe Jaz, my trusted friend of four hundred years, would willingly forfeit her own life to save McKenzie, but that’s what she had done by offering me her neck, then falling to one knee.

McKenzie wheezed trying to suck in air, but it did nothing to erase the blue color that had crept upon her face. I heard her heart sluggishly beat in her chest. Jaz must have heard it, too because she leaned forward, grabbing my pant leg.

“Is sacrificing my life to you not enough to soothe your anger?” She desperately tugged at my leg. “She will die soon.”

As I held a firm grip on McKenzie, I looked down to see blood stained tears running down Jaz’s face. It infuriated me that Jaz’s emotions for a human led her, my best friend, to beg at my feet.

I released McKenzie from my grasp, letting her fall to the ground. Jaz didn’t flinch a muscle to move toward her. Instead, she maintained her subservient position at my feet. McKenzie gasped several times before her normal color returned, but I just couldn’t let go of the anger I felt. Shaking Jaz’s grip from my leg, I kicked McKenzie in the side.

“Tamara, enough!” Shamana called from the open door. “That will not get Izzy home to you any sooner.”

I looked down at Jaz. “She will help me get Izzy back,” I declared. “Tend to her needs, even if you must feed her your blood, but warn her that if Izzy dies, she will join her in death and your life will not be enough to save her.”

That in itself should have alerted Jaz to the seriousness of my threat as our clan had outlawed feeding humans our blood six centuries ago. Humans became too dependent on what our blood offered. It cured their diseases and it gave them temporary super human strength and speed, but it was extremely addictive and they proved they would do anything for more. Some followed us around like lost maggots seeking their next meal, while others decided that the best way to get our blood was to go on a killing spree. We only lost a few of our kind, compared to the horde of humans that were alleged vampires.

“Yes, My Lady,” she humbly whispered.

I carried Vicky inside and sat her on the couch. Shamana’s face was bruising and swelling, but she helped pull Stacia out from under the table and laid her on the couch positioning her head in Vicky’s lap.

“How did they find her?” I asked.

“I can only imagine,” she said as she filled a plastic baggy with ice, “that they tracked Izzy’s magical residue from when she pulled McKenzie into this world.” Shamana tossed the ice bag to Vicky. “Hold that on Stacia’s face.” She filled another bag, wrapped a towel around it, plopped on the couch, and held it to her own face.

“Can you follow their magical residue?” I asked.

Shamana stared at me for a moment before she answered, “No. Their magic is too powerful. They must have a coven helping them.”

“Then we must find one to help us. If they can’t bring Izzy back, then they can send me to where she is.”

“That is not wise,” McKenzie reported as Jaz helped her inside. “She is probably already in a collar by now.”

My anger flared at the thought that their ruthless device imprisoned my wife. I wanted nothing more than to obliterate Gaia’s beliefs and way of life. In that moment, I silently declared war upon our unknown assailants.

“However,” she continued, “the similarity between us is remarkable. The Mages will be required to address the issue with my parents.”

The irony of it struck me. “So, she will meet her elusive parents, after all.”

“What do we gotta do to find her?” Vicky asked.

I glanced at her and she mimicked a poor attempt to show her neck submissively, while adding, “I mean, we are gonna find her, right?”

“Yes, and,” I chuckled, “you do not need to show formalities. You are not one of my own.”

“Oh, thank the heavens.” She ran her hand through her hair. “I can’t bend my neck like that, but I’ll risk it to help Izzy.”

I smiled at Vicky, grateful Izzy had earned her loyalty.

“Shamana, what do we do now? What options are we left with?” I turned my attention back to her.

“We find the Ancient One.” She tossed the ice bag on the table. “I fear that is the only way we can help Izzy.”

Chapter 6

A half hour was all it took to get the 4x4 Jeep unhitched and ready to go. Stacia still suffering from a concussion would stay behind and try to tend to business as usual. The less, it seemed I was gone, the better it would be when I returned. The rest were going out of necessity. Shamana for her magic. Vicky for feeding and Jaz to help remind McKenzie were she stood with me. I would gladly kill her and single handedly reign terror down on Gaia, or die trying, if need be.

As we loaded into the Jeep, Shamana took the driver’s seat. I, the passenger seat. The rest were in the back with Vicky and McKenzie crammed on either side of Jaz.

An hour and a half later, we were still driving through the harsh terrain of the mountain, but we drove in treasured silence. I leaned my head out the passenger window, taking in the sounds of the night. A coyote at a distance, an owl nearby, and the tires crunching rock underneath them as we headed up. Up to the top of this eight thousand foot, God-forsaken mountain. I wouldn’t have noticed the change in elevation, had it not been for Vicky’s erratic breathing.

We were well past the six thousand foot mark when the jeep veered off the trail sliding the front tires into a trench.

“Are—you—trying to kill—us?” McKenzie spat in between short breaths.

Shamana opened her door and stumbled out of the jeep, apologizing. I was the next one out, helping her find a seat on a toppled log. Jaz followed, stretching her arms as she got out and Vicky and McKenzie both remained were they were.

“We can’t be too far from the top, now.” I stretched my legs. “Jaz, go on ahead and see what’s up there.”

I grabbed a bottle of water from my pack and joined Shamana on the log. “Here, you need this more than we do.” I handed her the bottle and my hairs stood on end.

“She is near,” I whispered as my skin tingled. I looked around the dense foliage, then automatically started walking toward the forest. Shamana grabbed my arm, stopping me momentarily.

“I feel it, too. You should not go alone,” Shamana warned. “We don’t know what waits for you.”

The more I fought, the stronger the impulse became. “You must let me go. Trust me.”

She released her hold and I slowly inched my way deeper into the woods, following the beckoning. As my feet moved forward, I counted every step, fearing that these would be my last. I had never encountered someone or something that could easily overpower my mind. Yet, I continued to struggle against every one of the four hundred and eighty two steps I took before the forest opened into a small meadow with a waterfall.

The moon’s reflection sparkled on the calm water as the waterfall’s mist endlessly hung over the moss that clung to the wet rocks. A fawn and a wolf stood side by side, partaking in the necessity to quench their thirst. Predator and prey peacefully coexisting in this blissful clearing. The air was crisp and carried the fragrant smells of gardenias and roses. The sound of children laughing gripped me with foreboding fear. Human children would not have been here, in the middle of nowhere. This had to be an illusion, or with my luck lately, I had walked straight into a demons nest. I could take on two or three demons at once, but any more would surely be my downfall. Silence suddenly draped over us. One of the younger girls approached. She appeared no more than a human four or five year old child. Her long, black hair stood out against the pale white skin that lay taut around her delicate frame and her bright, aqua eyes, glowed.

“Did you come to speak with mother?” she asked.

I did not know who mother was, but my instincts told me I needed to speak with her. “Yes, child.”

She flashed a toothy grin as she took my hand. “You are a strong one,” she said, leading me toward the waterfall. “Mother will like that.”

We made our way behind the waterfall and into the entrance of the cavern without getting wet. The tunnel was dank and dark with an occasional burning torch to lead our way, but that didn’t hinder the child. She maneuvered the turns with expert ease.

“Mother will be so pleased you finally arrived.” She tugged me forward. “We have waited a long time.”

I firmly planted my feet on the ground, yanking the girl back. “What do you mean you’ve waited a long time?”

“Look, silly.” She pointed to the drawings on the cavern walls. “It’s all there. The story tells how you will reunite what was once lost.” She giggled.

I took a torch from its placement and examined the crude drawings on the walls. It appeared to be a war. There were stick figures waving swords and throwing magic balls, crude drawings of vampires biting people, and decapitated stick figures laying at the base of a large castle with one figure radiating in a white glow.

“See,” the little girl said as she pointed to the fangy figure standing on top of the castle. “That’s you. You’ll save us.”

I wasn’t sure why she had decided that was me. The rough drawing looked nothing like me.

“No, little one,” I corrected her, not being able to tell the child I felt like an executioner. “I’m not a savior.”

“Yes, you are,” she replied confidently. “Mother said so.”

She took off running down the tunnel, disappearing into the darkness. I didn’t run after her, better she knew now that I was not their redeemer. I wasn’t getting involved in their conflict. I was in this for my own personal reasons. I carefully followed the passageway, on guard for any surprises that might try to lurk up on me. I passed several opening that led in different directions, but decided to continue in the direction that the air felt cooler. The temperature must have dropped at least ten degrees since I entered this burrow and the ground felt wet and mushy—which was fine. I just wished that I had worn something other than my good, black leather, riding boots.

The tunnel opened up to a large cavernous room, decorated with furniture. Not the cheap, homemade furniture I would have expected, but nice, modern, custom-made furniture similar to what my estate fashioned. A rocking chair slowly swayed in front of a large fireplace that crackled with burning wood. I stepped forward and the chair stopped. “You have upset my youngest.” I not only heard a woman’s voice, but also felt it penetrate through my body. Her voice felt old, as old as, time itself. “What brings you to see me, Mistress?”

“I seek knowledge about a world named Gaia,” I announced.

The chair started rocking again. “I see.” She paused. “Why do you seek such knowledge?”

“I have a personal matter to tend to in that world.”

“Does that personal matter have to do with the young halfling you created?”

How was it possible that she knew about Izzy?

As I took a guarded stance, she laughed and said, “Come, let me meet the infamous Hightower Matriarch.”

I saw a hand appear from the side of the chair. I approached and found an elderly woman with a full set of gray hair and a gold shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

“You’re mother?” I asked surprised.

A toothless smile extended across her wrinkled face. “Do not judge too harshly, Mistress. I am still full of surprises. Sit, let us talk.”

Her voice commanded my actions. Against all my own efforts, I sat facing the fire next to her chair.

“It has been a long time since I’ve had company,” she informed me. “I’ve so craved someone to talk with.”

I couldn’t believe I had to sit here while time slipped away from me. It was an utter waste of my time, yet, I felt glued to the floor. If sitting here, talking to her was the price I had to pay to find Izzy, I would happily accommodate the old woman. After Izzy was home safely. I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, how rude of me,” she gasped. “I’ve completely forgotten my manners. My name is unpronounceable, but you may call me Josephina.” She smiled. “I’m the Guardian of the Portal.”

“Uh-huh.” I sighed. “You already know who I am. Can we get on with this? Time is of the utmost importance.”

“Have faith in your loved one. I checked on her a short time ago. She is strong.”

I raised a brow. She checked on Izzy. Was it possible that the portal was here in this cave somewhere?

“You doubt my words?” With a wave of her hand, the roaring fireplace covered with smoke. As it cleared, an image materialized in its place and Izzy appeared, wearing a blood-red cloak. Her arms extended to either side, held high and tied to wooden posts while purple-cloaked figures danced around her, mumbling spells. As quickly as it appeared, the image was gone, leaving nothing but the burning fire in its place.

“You see,” she said. “I told you, she was fine.”

“She does not look fine to me.” I tried standing, but all I accomplished was to shift my weight. “She looks tied up.”

“They are merely preparing her for the next phase in vanquishing any demons she may have,” Josephine said as though she knew the ritual well. “Since you did come all this way to see me, I suppose I should at least answer your questions.”

“How do I reach Gaia?” I asked.

“There are several ways. You can use a portal, a boat or,” she looked me up and down, “I suppose you could swim.”

“Where is Gaia?”

“Here, there and everywhere it chooses to be on Earth.” She smiled.

It didn’t take me long to figure out that she would delay her answers for as long as possible. Perhaps, she was lonely and wanted the company.

I glanced at her and returned the smile. “Exactly where is the nearest Gaian portal located?”

“There is one within one hundred feet of where you sit.” Her toothless grin spread.

“Enough of the games, old woman.” I lost my temper. We were losing precious time. “What will it require for you to help me?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” As she stood from the rocking chair, she transformed into a young, curvaceous, sexy woman. “I am lonely here in my cave and require some special attention.” She snickered.

I had given Izzy my word that I would remain monogamous. However, if getting the crotchety old hag laid would help me find Izzy, then I would fulfill her request.

I started to unbutton my shirt. “You will have to tell me if I hurt you.”

“Why would you hurt me?”

“It has been a while since I’ve slept with a human and I’ve yet to have sex with someone as old as you.”

She laughed. “Button your shirt. Your services are not required here.”

“You do want to…have sex?” I gave her a confused look as I buttoned my shirt.

“Vampires are always so much fun. Yes, of course, but not with you! I’m more of a guy’s, girl than I am a girl’s, girl,” she declared laughing harder, then took a deep breath, wiping the tears from her face. “I haven’t laughed this hard in centuries.” She paused. “I will help you as you wished.”

“Could you start by letting me move around?”

“Of course, make yourself comfortable.”

I hesitantly tried standing and came right up on my feet. “Thank you. Now, if you don’t mind freely giving me some information,” I urged.

“Yes, yes.” She stepped toward a marble top table where trinkets laid. She picked up a necklace and caressed it between her fingers.

“Gaia has changed much. It is slowly creeping toward the darkest moments of its time.” She held the pendant up to her face and closed her eyes, then abruptly put it back on the table. “I’ll not bore you with its history. Take note, for this is the reality of how it stands today.” She strolled over to the dying fire, took the poker and jabbed it several times making the flames billow to life. “They are too content in their mediocrity to realize that war lurks upon them. Master Connor swore to decimate the Mages and his numbers have increased significantly as he converts more vampires, daily. The Mages have become lax over the years. Believing that they had captured most, if not all of the Death-Walkers, the Royal Guards had dwindled to only a hand few of loyal servants who have given up capturing vampires. So, be warned, if you are found, you will be executed.” She poured a cup of wine into a gemmed goblet and offered me a drink.

I shook my head, declining.

She continued. “The people have nightly street orgies to honor their newest Gods and Goddesses.” She paused. “The magic that hides Gaia had been slowly declining over the centuries and it will fail, eventually.”

“How does knowing this help me get Izzy back?” I slowly circled Josephina.

“Magic is a delicate thing,” she explained. “The longer it is disrupted, the quicker it will decline and the dim-witted mages are too self-absorbed to realize it.”

“I don’t understand,” I confessed.

“The longer you and your Izzy stay on Gaia, the quicker it will decline.”

“Because of the magic?”

“Yes.” She sounded frustrated. “Things were meant to stay as they originally were when the spell was cast, but throughout the centuries, strangers have come upon Gaia’s shores and have taken residency, taxing the magic that shields them from the rest of the world.”

“So it’s a balance and the scales are tipping,” I said self-assured.

Josephina brought her hands together, clapping. “Ah, you are not so dim-witted yourself,” she cried out.

My intentions were not to expose Gaia. Once the land was available for all to see, it would surely mean their demise. Although, the thought of ending their reign of terror among my kind did appease me. For once, I was not sure what to do. Could I save Izzy and risk revealing the enigmatic way of the land or could I save Gaia’s secret and abandon Izzy to a new way of life? My conscious battled in turmoil, the life of one or the way of life for many?

“What will happen to Izzy if she remains in Gaia?” I asked considering my options.

“The mages will perform the last sacrificial ritual in which they place a claiming collar on her and then they will allow the townspeople to sample her before they auction her off.”

“They’ll sell her!” I said astonished that the archaic practice still existed.

Josephina smiled and nodded.

Her answer gave me cause to reconsider leaving Izzy there.

“What exactly will they sample?”

She finished her wine, refilled her cup and took a long gulp. “Her,” she said.

“Her?” I repeated, not understanding the implication.

She looked at me as though I was an idiot, but then said, “They use their captured vampires for more than fighting. They also use them for sex.”

“That’s rape,” I protested. Knowing how strongly Izzy felt about the matter, I feared that she would rather take her own life than be subjected to the sampling.

“Remember, they do not see vampires as human. To them, it is no different than humans breeding their favorite animals.”

She had a point, but I did not agree.

“Relax,” she continued. “After a while, the vampires agree to such services since they receive extra blood to feed on.”

“And when the queen sees Izzy and realizes she is her daughter, she will allow it to continue?”

“The queen’s court will not bother her with such trivial matters. The queen will never know she was there. The Mages will extract whatever information they can from your Izzy, and then treat her as another Death-Walker.”

I had heard enough to soothe my conscious. I would not leave Izzy there to suffer like a caged animal in the hands of those barbarians. “How long before they auction her?”

“On the fortnight of her arrival, they will collar her. The sampling will start the following evening and last another fortnight. Then the auction begins.”

“That gives me two-weeks to find her and bring her home,” I mumbled to myself.

“That is not enough time. They will have her deep within the castle walls. One could easily lose their way in there,” Josephina added to my dilemma.

I smiled, remembering that I had the queen’s other daughter. “Yes, but I have someone who knows their way around.”

 “Then do what you must.” She set the goblet on the marble top table. “I will give you and three others access to the portal.”

I didn’t trust McKenzie not to betray me and turn me over to the Royal Guards the first chance she got. I had to think fast to insure my safety. “Could you fashion two collars, one that will not work to any commands and one that will obey only my voice?”

Josephina gave me an inquisitive look and remained silent for several minutes. “Very well, I’m curious to see how this will all play out. I will need some time to make them. Return tomorrow night and it will be as you asked,” she said waving me away.

“Thank you.” I started back through the labyrinth of tunnels as she announced, “Remember that time does not wait while you ready yourself.”

I found Shamana and Vicky sitting in the ditched jeep with the window rolled down, listening to music.

“Why aren’t we ready to go?” I walked to the front of the jeep, grabbed the hitch under the fender and lifted the front tires back onto the trail.

“Wow!” Vicky stumbled out of the passenger seat. “You are strong. Didn’t even break a sweat, huh?”

What could I have said to that? I glanced around. “Where are Jaz and McKenzie?”

“Probably out in the woods doing the deed.” She gave a coy smile. “Did you find her? Can we go get Izzy?”

“What deed? Did something happen while I was gone?” I glanced at Shamana who was still in the driver’s seat.

She shook her head. “All’s been quite here.” She paused. “Well, mostly.”

I was in no mood for games. I had just played enough of them with Josephina. Before I had pushed my thoughts out to find Jaz, I heard her scream and immediately took off following the sound. I carefully made it through the forest at a comfortable speed. Unseen hanging tree branches made great stakes and I wasn’t interested in an accidental suicide. No, if I were going to die, it would be in a blaze of glory, not by doing someone else the honor and running into a tree branch. I came to a small meadow when I saw Jaz laying flat on her back, McKenzie hovering over her, naked. Jaz cried out again, but this was not a beckoning for help— far from it. Jaz enjoyed the delights McKenzie showered upon her.

My first instinct was to break them up. Izzy had been right about them all along. They were no better than dogs in heat. How irresponsible of Jaz to submit to such pleasures when my wife was in danger, but then I noticed the tenderness in McKenzie’s touch. She caressed Jaz’s bare skin as if she were paying tribute to a goddess. As Jaz’s hips rose, slightly pressing against McKenzie’s mouth, she was there encouraging the delight her tongue offered. They rolled on the ground. Jaz now on top, tended to McKenzie’s desires, oblivious to the company they had acquired. The moonlight shimmered on their sweaty bodies as they drowned in each other’s passion while Jaz moaned a sultry, orgasmic rhythm. I couldn’t help think of how Izzy made me feel when she held me in her loving arms and how much I craved—ached to have her near me, now. In that single moment, I decided that true death would find me if I had to live my existence without Izzy.

Their cries of blissful accomplishment shook me back to reality. Jaz dropped her weight onto McKenzie, laying tender kisses along her body and for the first time, I became aware of their energies intertwining and completing each other. I could no longer deny that this was a fling and they would eventually go their separate ways.

Knowing how they felt about each other made what I planned to do much more difficult.

Chapter 7

After a long night of discussing our options, Shamana had been the one to come up with a risky but doable plan. If all worked accordingly, we wouldn’t be gone more than a couple of nights. That gave me more than enough time to find Izzy before the sampling begun.

I slept through the day churning the plan over in my mind. Jaz and I would pretend to be McKenzie’s captured Death-Walkers to gain entry into the castle and Shamana would hide in the shadows in case we needed her magic for a quick means of escape.

When I woke, I fed heftily from Vicky, leaving her in Stacia’s care for a full recovery. I fastened my knives to the insides of my boots and the back of my arms, hiding them under my sleeves. We gathered our things and headed up the mountain. The mood had been somber as we all took in the gravity of the situation.

“What if something goes wrong?” Jaz asked as we made our way through the tunnel to see Josephina.

“I wish you hadn’t of asked that,” Shamana huffed, obviously out of air. The drive up wasn’t terrible, but I had to help her several times as the climb up to the waterfall had taken its toll on the old woman. “Things always go wrong when someone throws out a, what-if question.”

“Conserve your strength,” I cautioned, as I entered the main cavern.

As promised, Josephina was sitting in her rocking chair waiting for us to arrive. The roaring fire warmed the air without overheating the small, but effective quarters.

“Yes, listen to the vampire,” she agreed. “You have a long journey ahead of you.” She stood revealing her younger self, not the old hag I had first met. “I have what you asked for.” She motioned me close and held out the chokers. “I assume this one is for you.” She held it out. “May I?”

This was my moment of truth and with a small prayer, I leaned in and allowed her to place the Claiming Collar around my neck.

“Yes!” she excitedly exclaimed. “It’s the perfect fit. Now for the other.” She handed it to me. “You must place it on her neck if you want to control it.”

I took the collar and approached Jaz. McKenzie stepped in front of me.

“No!” she protested. “I will not allow it.”

“Step aside,” I ordered.

She held her stance. “No.”

This was proof that neither of us trusted the other. I would not expend my strength fighting her now when I would need it later.

Jaz, I silently called. Come to me. You know we must do this.

She stepped around McKenzie and bowed in front of me.

“I trust you, Tamara,” she said as she extended her neck to me and I placed the collar on her.

“I knew you could not be trusted,” McKenzie sighed heavily. “She is one of your own and you do not hesitate to imprison her.”

“She is one of mine,” I put extra emphasis on the word mine. “And I will do whatever is necessary to bring her and Izzy home safely.”

“It would have been better to allow me to collar both of you.”

“Yes, I suspect you would have enjoyed that,” I sneered.

“You don’t understand.” She threw her hands up. “If you want to make this believable, you must obey my every wish without hesitation. There is no room for error.”

“Your wishes will be obeyed,” I assured her.

“Even you?” she asked. “You’ll obey every command?”

“Time is approaching,” Josephina interrupted. “Here put these on.” She handed Jaz and I lavender colored cloaks. “It will help you blend in.”

I stared at the cloak hesitantly. Lavender was not my best color.

Josephina shoved it into my arms. “Let’s see how well you take orders, Matriarch,” she said, than giggled.

I slipped the cloak on as I gave McKenzie a stern look.

“It’s what all the Death-Walkers wear,” Josephina added. “I’ll open the portal on McKenzie’s property. She’ll know what to do from there.” A flume of smoke appeared against the rock wall. “Good luck,” she said as she pushed me into the smoke.

I put my hands out in front of me to keep from hitting the rock. Instead, I passed through an invisible doorway that led me into an open meadow. There was an eerie silence in the dark of night. Over the centuries, the sound of cars backfiring, air conditioner units running, and a melody of unknown noises blended into my subconscious. Now only the sounds of nature echoed through the stillness.

McKenzie was the next to follow. I put my hand on her arm pulling her toward me and warned, “If you betray me, Jaz will find the same fate as I.”

She turned to meet my gaze. “I knew your intentions when you placed the collar on her.”

“As long as we understand each other.” I smiled.

Jaz and Shamana came through the portal together. Shamana took a deep breath, and fell to her knees, running her fingers through the grass. “I never thought I would feel this again.”

Jaz stood with her mouth open, looking around. Surrounding us in the open meadow were large bushes trimmed to look like animals. Stone pavers created a path further into the meadow where a statue of a woman on horseback adorned the center of the circular waterfall. Beyond the nicely manicured lawn, several mountain peaks loomed in the far distance.

“We need to get to the house before we are seen,” McKenzie said as she started walking south. “We can get a day’s worth of rest, before we head to the city.”

Jaz sprinted to catch up with McKenzie’s hurried gait while Shamana and I followed. As we approached the back of the house, I heard voices and grabbed Jaz and McKenzie.

“We are not alone,” I said, moving us all behind a bush for cover. “I heard seven or eight distinct voices coming from inside.”

“Shit,” McKenzie mumbled. “I suspected the guards would search my home, but I expected them to be gone by now. Come on,” she said as she led us through the bushes to a small shack next to the house. She pushed open the wooden door. “Hurry up.” She waved us all in then closed the door. “Follow me.” She moved to the back of the room and used her foot to clear some hay from the floor. A rope handle appeared. She grabbed it and pulled open a secret door. “Watch your step as you go down the stairs. They hadn’t been used in a while.”

Shamana was the first to descend. I heard the stairs creak as she put her weight on them, but she continued down. Jaz went next and I followed. McKenzie took up the rear closing the trap door behind us.

My vampire vision allowed me to see Shamana fumbling in front of me. I grabbed her arm and led her close to my side as I searched for a light switch.

“They will not look for us, here,” McKenzie said as she came downstairs and struck a match. Reaching around Jaz, she grabbed the flute chimney from a wall mounted oil lamp and lit the match to the wick. As the room brightened, she replaced the glass and adjusted the flame.

A dusty room with an old worktable along one wall came into view. Fastened to the wall above the bench were various types of medieval weapons ranging from a one-handed sword to a berserker’s war hammer. What made me pause wasn’t the elaborate crossbow, finely detailed with precious gems, but the silver tipped arrows that neatly hung next to it as though they were on display.

I raised my brows and continued the visual inspection of the underground shelter we were crammed into. Overstuffed bookshelves lined the opposite wall, and next to that was a small cot that looked as though no one ever changed the sheets. Directly to our left were more shelves, all labeled and neatly packed with glass mason jars. The top and the second shelves were marked, vegetables. The third and fourth, fruits. The fifth and sixth, drinking.

Help…me, a woman’s raspy voice broke through my psyche, whispering in my head. Help…me…Mistress, it pleaded.

I surveyed the room again. We were all present and accounted for when I noticed a small open area under the stairs. Yes…please…help…me, I heard her again. I rounded the corner and what I found chilled me to the bone. A pencil thin figure with leathery skin sat on the floor shackled to the wall. Her sunken features, long unkept fingernails and ragged, moth eaten clothes gave the appearance of a corpse. I knelt next to her. Putting my knee on the ground, the dust gently swirled up, confirming that she had been undisturbed for quite a while. As I gripped the side of her head and used my thumb to raise her upper lip, revealing fangs, her memories opened to me. I saw her shackled to the wall, bags of human blood dangled in front of her, tortured by empty promises of being allowed to feed. The Royal guards gathered around her laughing and taunting her while she disclosed her clan’s secret location.

McKenzie threw a bag of blood just out of her reach then laughed as she turned, climbed up the stairs, locked the trap door, never to return again, until tonight. Jaz gasped.

“She can’t hurt you. She’s dead,” McKenzie said.

Run, the woman screamed in my head.

I stood and turned, facing McKenzie. “No, she’s not.”

The horrified look on Jaz’s face told me she had not prepared to witness the barbarity of McKenzie’s actions. She brought her hands up covering her mouth as bloody tears streaked her face.

“She was starved to death. I supervised it myself,” McKenzie huffed in a cold unemotional tone.

“She was starved, but not to death. Her essence continues to burn brightly within her rotting shell.”

I pushed past McKenzie and went straight for the worktable. I yanked one of the silver tipped arrows off the wall. When I returned to the starved woman, Jaz was kneeling next to her, holding her bony hand.

“I am so sorry,” Jaz whimpered aloud.

I scooted behind Jaz, sat on the ground and then gently maneuvered the fragile body so that she lay against my front, while I held her in my arms.

“I hear your torment, my child,” I whispered in her ear. “You are no longer alone.”

Thank…you. Her sobs were as clear as though she stood next to me.

“Rest in peace, child,” I said as I raised the arrow above her chest. Her body was so devoid of life, she didn’t even flinch as the silver invaded her heart, turning her to ashes.

Jaz pulled her knees to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs and cried. I left the arrow where it dropped and stood facing McKenzie. “Now,” I snarled. “She’s dead.”

Realizing McKenzie believed the nightwalker was dead, filled me with new concern. How many others had she left to suffer needlessly in their deteriorated conditions? I fought back the urge to dole out swift retribution for the crimes she committed against our kind and the trouble she had caused my family.

 She stared at me with her mouth partly open as if she had something to say. I cocked my head, waiting.

“We’re safe for now, but we move tomorrow. I want this over with as soon as possible, and you,” she pointed at me while bending down to console Jaz, “out of mine and Jaz’s life.”

McKenzie was trying my last bit of patience. Words were a tricky business with vampires and she had just challenged me for something I had never denied Jaz—her freedom. Challenging any vampire was risky as the loser’s life rested at the mercy of the victor. To challenge a vampire matriarch, you had to be one of two things. She wasn’t desperate, so I decided she was just naïve.

Under our law, I could have accepted her challenge and claimed her as my own, but I wasn’t exactly sure I wanted McKenzie as a part of my house. Jaz raised her head, looked at me with an apologetic smile and shrugged.

Tamara, she mentally communicated. I did not know McKenzie would make such a request. Please forgive her, she does not know of our ways.

I agree, I answered Jaz’s thoughts. I doubt she understands the implications of what she’s asked for. My patience with her grows thin. Educate her to our way of life, soon.

I felt the sorrow welling inside Jaz as she nodded and then rested her head on her knees. This shouldn’t have been a surprise. Jaz had to have known that McKenzie wouldn’t besiege my personal approval so quickly. Apart from being young, irrational, and a complete pain in my ass, she had now hurt two people that I loved.

Shamana put her hand on my shoulder and gave a light squeeze as she whispered in my ear. “We need to talk, privately.”

I turned on my heels and joined Shamana on the opposite side of the room. “What?” My frustration oozed.

She gave me a don’t-get-snippy-with-me look. “We are in Gaia,” she said.

I knew that. I was the one who arranged to bring us here. I took a breath calming my annoyance. “Yes, I know.”

“No, you don’t understand.” She smiled. “This is Gaia…a place where magic happens.” She waved her hands around. “And I’m a bruja.” Her smile turned to a wicked little grin. “I must leave you for a while. I need to find a secluded place to practice my newfound powers. Keep the others moving forward. I’ll find you when the time is right.”

“You can’t waltz out of here and alert the guards to where we are,” I said shaking my head.

“No, but I can do this,” she said and disappeared from sight. I didn’t know where she went, or how she did it, but for the first time since arriving here, I felt as though we had a fighting chance.

After I explained Shamana’s disappearance, I settled in for a good day’s sleep. Jaz refused to sleep on the cot and threw the sheets on the dirt ground where she and McKenzie cuddled up together and fell asleep. I cleared off the workbench reassuring myself that I would be safe with a plethora of weapons at my reach.

Sleep came, but rest did not. My thoughts were of Izzy and the sex we had. The way she touched me made me feel special and alive. The way we swallowed each other in the pure ecstasy of pleasure. Her moans turned to screams as someone would appear, grab her and they both disappeared, then it all turned black and the nightmare of Izzy being pulled from my arms would begin again. This time she had grabbed me, pleading with me to help her. She shook me violently as she called my name. “Tamara! Tamara!” I tried to reach for her, but grasped empty air instead. “Tamara!” She shook me harder, that’s when my nightmare started to give way and I realized that it had been Jaz shaking me.

“Tamara, wake up!”

I opened my eyes, but I wasn’t completely free of the repeating terror that had plagued me. Izzy and Jaz occupied the same space, both screaming for my attention. Jaz stood over me, wearing a concerned look. “Wake up!” she demanded as she shook me again.

Izzy cried for help, groping for my hand as she faded into nothingness.

I blinked, trying to focus.

“Wake. The. Hell. Up!” Jaz rammed her fist against my jawbone. “Wake. Up!” she ordered, shaking me.

Tamara? Izzy’s voice rang in my head.

Iz? Is that you?

Help me, I felt her thoughts as Jaz’s voice overpowered our mental connection.

“Wake. Up!”

She hit me again, and I tasted blood. The sweet coppery sting jarred me awake.

Jaz raised her fist.

I caught it in my left hand as it came careening down toward my face. “I am awake.”

She pulled her clenched hand back. “My apologies,” she muttered with a smile on her face. “It is good to have you back with us.”

The brief contact with Izzy jumpstarted the eagerness I had felt. I rose quickly from the workbench, and scanned the room.

“Has Shamana not returned?” I asked.

“No,” McKenzie answered while she packed a small bag and then flung it over her shoulder. “If you’re done with your beauty sleep, we need to get moving. I want to get into town and get this over with.” She adjusted the strap across her shoulder, bringing the short sword on her back, easily within reach. “I hate myself for saying this, but you need to hit me.”

“What?” I asked not believing what I heard.

She sighed deeply. “If the guards are to believe that I captured you,” she pointed at Jaz and me, “then there needs to be signs of a struggle.” She approached and stood with her arms out to her side. “I need you to hit me.”

I smiled. This was too perfect. I didn’t need to be told a second time. My left fist connected with her jaw, throwing her head sideways with a snap.

“And not kill me,” she growled while spitting blood.

I threw a right hook and caught the side of her face. Bursting open her brow gave me some satisfaction, but it would take a lot more to appease me. Before she regained her balance, I grabbed her lapels and flung her into the wall. She hit with a thump, then slid to the ground.

I advanced, but Jaz blocked my way.

She put her hand on my chest, stopping me. “I think she’s had enough.”

Jaz had never interfered before. It only proved that McKenzie was a problem—a big problem.

“Perhaps, you’re right,” I said stepping around Jaz, extending my hand to McKenzie. “I only did as you asked. I hope I didn’t hurt you too badly.” I sarcastically snickered and then smiled to show I didn’t mean anything by it.

McKenzie took my hand and as I pulled her up, she rammed her knee into my gut. I doubled over from the sudden pain and her elbow came down on my back, knocking me to the floor. Again, Jaz stepped between us.

“Enough!” she shouted. “We aren’t going to find Izzy like this!” She waved her hands. “With the two of you beating the shit out of each other. Let’s find her and get home, then you can kill each other, for all I care.”

McKenzie stood expressionless and then put her hand out to me. “Sorry,” she offered. “Had to make it look authentic. Now, we can go.”

We climbed the stairs and after I mentally scanned the area, we snuck out of the small shack and made our way to a dirt road. McKenzie proceeded to explain what was required of us since we were wearing claiming collars, and the longer we walked, the more I wished the guards would find us.

“You must obey every order I give you. There can be no hesitation,” she continued oblivious to the fact that I was trying to tune her out. “You are not required to bow. You can’t feed unless I have given you permission to do so and there may be the issue of having to kill one of your own to prove that the collar works.”

I quickened my step to catch up to her. “What did you say? Kill one of my own?” I repeated.

“Yes,” she answered without looking at me. “You should always remain a step or two behind me. If someone see’s you, they will know the collar isn’t working properly,” she informed me as she strutted forward. “From here on out, you must remember that you are insignificant and exist only because I allow it.”

“I will not—”

“Tamara,” Jaz interrupted me. “It is only until we find Izzy.”

I stepped back, allowing McKenzie to take the lead as requested and prayed that I would be able to settle things between us, very soon.

We continued on the dirt road for several miles before McKenzie pulled out into the forest. “We’re close. I’m sure the spotters have already alerted the guards that we’re here. Please, don’t forget what I’ve told you. They won’t hesitate in killing you.” She gave Jaz a kiss on the cheek and pulled us back onto the dirt road.

She was right. Within a few a minutes, I heard the galloping of horses approaching. Four from what I could count, maybe more, and at the rate the horses were moving, they would be upon us soon.

Chapter 8

We walked through the castle halls in silence and saw guards posted at every door and corridor. It would be difficult to escape unless we found a different route. McKenzie had found the time to bathe, change into some clean clothes and eat. We obediently followed her as her cape snapped at her heels and she formally nodded at each guard we passed. As we walked by, one would occasionally strike the butt of their long flanged mace into my back and snicker. Mentally, I kept notes on which ones I would kill with my bare hands once we were free. McKenzie did nothing to discourage the sly attacks, she only giggled as we continued down the corridor.

Stopping in front of two massive doors, McKenzie pulled Jaz aside handing her over to another guard. “Take this one to my chambers and do not touch her.” Then she turned to Jaz and said, “Follow him to my room and wait for me until I come for you.”

“Come,” the guard ordered.

Jaz turned on her heels and quietly followed him. This had not been our agreement. We were not supposed to be separated. We were much better united as one fighting force and as if she heard what I was thinking, McKenzie turned to me and said, “We are meeting my queen, you will show her the respect that she deserves.” She turned and pushed open the enormous door. Inside, several guards armed to the hilt, strategically stood in place around the crown, while some scrawny maidens held a platter of food and drink for the king.

McKenzie approached the crown and bowed. I followed suit and did the same. The reunion was not what I had expected.

“You’re Highness,” she addressed the queen, who had her back to us. “I bring you some entertainment.”

The woman turned around slowly revealing the same features Izzy possessed. They were defiantly related. The king however, was different. Consumed with feminine energy he felt unreal, almost as if someone else lay at the core of his being.

“I see,” she said. “And what is that?” She pointed at me.

“I captured this and another Death-Walker in my journeys. The others held this one in high esteem. I thought it might be of benefit to us.”

The queen waved McKenzie over and wrapped her arms around her daughter in a tight embrace. “I thought we had lost you forever,” she said, then I heard her whisper in McKenzie’s ear, but it was for my benefit. “I know you can hear me, vampire. Shamana came to me and she assured me that you are honorable. I cannot help you. Trust no one here. Please, save my daughters.”

I lowered my eyes and slowly blinked in recognition of hearing her whispers. She smiled and pulled McKenzie away from her, holding her at arm’s length.

“Shall we feast tonight then?” she asked and looked at the king. He nodded.

“Good. Take that one to the chamber. Prepare her and the other one for the festivities tonight.”

“Yes, Mother, of course.” McKenzie bowed, twirled on her heels and left, with me following closely behind her.

As she marched down the long hallway, she whispered to herself, “Something is wrong. My mother would never talk to a vampire like that, unless the power structure has fractured beyond repair.” Quieting herself only when she passed another guard, she then started mumbling again, probably oblivious that I heard every word. “Save my daughters…as if I need saving. Does she think I cannot take care of myself…and what did she mean by trust no one here?”

McKenzie came to an abrupt stop and turned to me. “Do try to contain yourself when you see Izzy. Remember, I collared you. I will try to get you some privacy.” She paused. “There are rising issues, so would you be willing to help me, if need be?”

I heard footsteps and kept silent as a guard rounded the corner. He briskly walked toward us and then slowed his steps. As he passed, he rammed his scabbard in my side and laughed. The pain threw me off balance and I leaned against the wall for support. My list of assholes to kill grew longer by the minute.

“Are you well, Commander?” he asked while shifting his weight.

I smelled the sweetness of adrenaline permeating through his skin and heard his heart pounding. That was not a normal reaction for a guard merely initiating pleasantries with his commanding officer. Something was about to happen and I wanted to be prepared. I straightened up, waiting for McKenzie’s next move. I could not afford to let her die yet.

“Yes, I’m fine.” McKenzie’s answer carried a tone of concern.

“Good. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. Can I accompany you to the chambers?”

She looked momentarily surprised. “Yes, of course.”

Tamara, Jaz’s thoughts came to me. McKenzie sent me her thoughts. He should not have known she was heading to the chambers.

I understand.

McKenzie turned her back and the guard lunged forward with a dagger in his hand. With my right hand, I grabbed his wrist, and using his own momentum, turned his hand inward, stabbing himself with his own knife as I covered his mouth with my left hand.

“It seems you have a special welcoming party,” I said letting his body fall to the floor. “And no, it appears you cannot take care of yourself. You were an easy target for those who want you dead.”

“Shit!” McKenzie whispered, ignoring the fact that I had answered her earlier mumblings. “Why did you do that? It’s an automatic death sentence to kill a member of the royal guard.”

“You are more concerned about me killing him, than the fact that they are trying to kill you?” I stepped over his body. “You are no good to me, dead.”

“Thank you.” Her words were forced, but I would accept her attempted gratitude. “We need to hide the body. Can you carry him?”

I looked at her as if she were crazy and grabbed the corpse with one hand, lifting him off the floor. “Where do you want it?”

“Follow me, but stay a few feet behind. I have to make sure the corridors are empty.” And with that, she hurried away.

Tamara, are you there? Is that really you? Izzy must have sensed my thoughts with Jaz.

Yes, my love, I am here and I am coming for you, I answered.

Please, be careful, she cautioned.

I love you, too. I smiled.

We found an empty room and I hid the body under the bed. For now, it would stay nicely hidden. In a few days, his stench would reveal his whereabouts and I planned to be out of Gaia long before that happened. I followed McKenzie through long corridors and finally down a series of dark tunnels until we came to a large, dirt floor cavern. I was not appreciating the irony of my life involving caverns.

We finally stopped in front of two guards stationed at the beginning of another corridor. The walkway had wooden doors lining both the walls. Izzy’s voice reverberated through one of the wooden doors and echoed down the hall.

“You morons!” Izzy yelled. “I want food, not blood. Is that your great plan—to starve me to death?”

It took everything I had not to laugh. Izzy’s taste for blood wasn’t as refined as a full fledge vampire. She depended mostly on human food, but it was good to hear that her crankiness wasn’t limited only to me when she was hungry.

“Step aside,” McKenzie ordered. “I come on the queen’s orders.”

The two guards looked at each other questioningly, then hesitantly moved, allowing us passage.

“By the gods,” McKenzie barely whispered. “Contain yourself.”

We stopped in front of another door. She put her hand on the handle, looked at me, took a deep breath and pushed opened the door. McKenzie went in first.

“You bitch!” Izzy snapped. “I should have known you were behind this.”

I smiled. That’s my girl. I lingered outside for a moment, preparing myself to behave in a manner that was collared appropriate. I wiped the grin off my face, bowed my head and fixed my gaze to the ground, then stepped through the threshold.

“Tamara!” Izzy screamed. The desperation in her voice chilled me to the core. I wanted nothing more than to run to her side and hold her in my arms, reassuring her that all would be well, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t afford to give away our elaborately laid plan.

Tamara? She called to me mentally, but I ignored her. It would be better if she believed that I was truly under the influence of the collar.

“Look at me, Death-Walker,” McKenzie ordered. “Look at your master.”

I bit my tongue, keeping from lashing out with a snide comment. Slowly, I raised my sight taking in the condition of Izzy’s cell. It was a small room, maybe the size of our walk-in closet, but the walls weren’t finished in drywall with a nice coat of paint on them. These were rock walls carved out of the earth. No chance of breaking through these to freedom. I caught sight of McKenzie, who quickly shifted her eyes to the corner of the room, telling me someone hid in the shadows.

“Oh, God, Tamara!” Izzy cried. “Look at me.”

“Well,” McKenzie said as she walked across the room and joined our unseen guest. “Look at her.”

I turned my gaze to Izzy. Chained to the wall, she sat on a pile of hay, made to act as a makeshift bed. Her normal clothes were replaced with a plain brown, burlap dress, but what broke my heart was how utterly miserable she looked. Her eyes didn’t shine with the life she once had. They were empty, as if she had lost all hope. My legs started moving toward her, but I stopped myself.

She looked me up then down, and her gaze focused in on the collar around my neck. “No!” she shrieked and started sobbing. “No…please not her.”

McKenzie laughed. I wanted to rip her lungs out, but I held still.

From my peripheral vision, I saw movement.

McKenzie and an older woman dressed in a long, heavy cape came out of hiding and casually strolled past me.

“Let’s have some fun,” McKenzie commented while they stood in the doorway.

“Oh, yes,” the woman enthusiastically agreed. “She has been quite difficult to break.”

“Death-Walker,” McKenzie barked.

I turned, glaring at her.

“Give us something to look forward to, tonight,” she ordered. “Show us how you animals fuck.”

“Oh, what a lovely idea,” the old hag cooed while excitedly clapping her hands.

For a moment, I stood dumbfounded. Of all the things she could have asked for, I never expected that. She closed the door, which made me think they had a way of watching us from outside the room.

I approached Izzy, whose tears had washed away the dirt from her face, leaving a trail of clean flesh and forcibly pressed my lips to hers. She resisted, trying to push me away with what little strength she had.

Do not panic, I tried to reassure her, but only caused her to cry harder. I will always be yours, my love.

Her sobbing calmed as she wrapped her arms around me. Is it really you?

Of course, it is me. Would you prefer someone else came to your rescue? I pulled away in time to see the gleam return to her eyes. No, I urged, pulling her back to me. We must make this look believable. You must try to resist me.

Try? She repeated with a playful vitality as she pushed me off her so hard that I landed on my butt. I stared at her for a moment and then with quick speed, I stood over her, clutching her face in my hands as I forced another kiss from her.

This could be fun with you chained to the wall, I taunted.

Oh, I’ll make you pay for that later, she promised as she pushed her tongue past my teeth. Wetness slipped from inside me as I subconsciously leaned my groin into her.

Lightweight, she mocked. I knew you couldn’t take me.

I put my hands on Izzy’s shoulders and pushed her up against the wall, forcing my tongue into her mouth. I had missed her so much that it was easy to forget we had spectators.

You’re on, I warned.

A sigh escaped her as I knelt, sliding her legs further apart as I ran my hand up her thigh. With her right hand, she grabbed my hand and tried pushing me away. Closing her legs only to find me there, spreading my legs against her weight, keeping her open to my whims.

Oh, I’m impressed. She shot the thought to me as she squeezed a little harder.

I ignored her. She found the opening to my shirt and quickly wrapped her arms around me until her hands found their target, then dug her nails into me as she ran the length of my back. The sear pain made me arch backward while I cried out, releasing another wave of juices into my pants.

Damn woman! I snapped. Why haven’t you done that before?

She unzipped my pants and slid them down over my ass, then pulled me into her. Grinding her crotch against mine, made me wish I had my strap-on. Firmly, I grabbed her hips and raised her groin onto my own. I positioned my hand between us, making sure that with each thrust, my fingers simultaneously massaged our clits. Izzy immediately caught on and started grinding against my fingers. Our momentum was perfect, systematically, our hips joined then receded, only to come together with more enthusiasm. I kissed her neck, my fangs barely scraped her skin, when she started moaning and pulled me so close the air between disappeared.

“I love you,” she groaned and threw her head back, the tips of her fangs scarcely peeking out from under her top lip, and I knew what she needed.

I threw my own head back, exposing my neck to her and she came down onto my flesh. Her fangs slicing deep into my skin as her orgasm exploded.

Collapsing her head on my shoulder, she licked my neck, sealing the wound. “I’m thumping,” she whispered and with a poof, Shamana appeared next to us, put her hand on Izzy’s shoulder and the two of them vanished.

About the Author

I can put together a lesbian erotica at the drop of a dime, but ask me to write an autobiography and my mind goes completely blank. So, here goes…I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

That’s right, the Big Easy or the bathtub, whichever you prefer. Anyway, when I was born, Mercy Hospital was still called Mercy, so I have a few years under my belt. At the age of five, my family moved to sunny South Florida. I spent the next twenty-seven years baking in the sun and enjoying the constant, predictable weather.

As a teenager, I caused my share of trouble, which I will not go into here. Needless to say, when I turned eighteen, I came out to my friends and family. I’ll never forget that day either. My picture was plastered on the front page of the Miami Herald’s Sunday edition. For those of you who don’t know what the Miami Herald is, it’s only the largest newspaper in South Florida and my picture took up half the front page. Woohoo! My first fifteen minutes of fame.

I’ve had my share of relationships, some were good and some were downright wrong. At the age of thirty-two, a mutual friend introduced me to my current partner, who lived in Texas. We seemed to hit it off, even though she spoke with a funny accent. She returned to Texas and I followed her. We’ve been together thirteen years now and I wouldn’t trade a single day of it. We don’t have kids even though we both want them. What we do have is three cats who are highly opinionated and two huge, loveable dogs.

I never said, oh geez, when I grow up, I want to be a writer. No, that didn’t happen to me. What did happen was that imagination sideswiped me one day and an erotic story, complete with characters, consumed every bit of my waking moments. To get it out of my head, I put it on paper, smart, huh? Well, that’s what started my writing career. I successfully have four published eBooks, The Hightower Series, and I’m working on the fifth.

My stories center on Izzy and Tamara, both vampires and both very sexy, but deadly. It’s full of hot, explicit love scenes between them and sometimes other partners. A lot of people have asked me if I tend to write from experience, my answer is yes and no. Yes, because I write lesbian erotica and I’m a lesbian, duh. No, because I’m not a vampire although some days, I wish I was.

Well, there you have it, my life in a nutshell. Of course, I left stuff out…I already share my dirty mind with you, I can’t very well go sharing my dirty laundry, too!

Toodles :)