Chapter 10

A metallic liquid coated the back of Lynda's throat, and she gagged. What is that? She tried to spit, but something was blocking her mouth. Darkness pressed in on her, and she couldn’t see anything or was it that her eyes wouldn’t open?

Coldness seeped down into her belly as pain hit her like a sledgehammer all over. Even her wrist felt like it had a railroad spike jammed through it. Wait that was the arm where she'd sliced her wrist to give Andrei blood. Then she got trapped in some memory, and he attacked her.

She tried to raise her hand to touch her throat but couldn't lift her arm. Oh God, what was wrong with her? She pushed her body to move, but it didn’t respond. And what the hell was in her mouth?

She jerked to dislodge the coolness from her mouth.

“Shhh,” Andrei whispered. “Please, swallow, it will heal you.”

His voice was filled with such compassion and worry that she did as he asked. The liquid burned past her swollen throat and continued down into her gut. Suddenly, warmth spread through her. Tingles burst across her body. A light-headed sensation folded around her leaving her almost tipsy.

More of the liquid seeped into her mouth, but this time it tasted like caramel syrup mixed with luscious hot chocolate. The pain in her throat was gone. And Andrei was giving her the best dessert wine or whatever it was she'd ever had.

She sucked harder, drawing in more of the amazing drink. Her eyes flew open when she felt the vessel the drink flowed from tug away from her open mouth. Her fingers closed around flesh…an arm?

But she couldn't stop. The liquid...the blood tasted too good. She clutched his wrist to her mouth and sucked hard. The blood coursed into her mouth, uniting her with ecstasy and Andrei.

More!

She drank again and again like she was parched.

“Lynda, you must stop now.” Andrei cupped her cheek. “Please.”

When she didn't, he jerked on his arm, but she refused to let go, clamping down on his wrist with her teeth and tightening her grip on his arm.

Her sucking intensified. Nothing he could say or do would make her stop.

“Didn't think you the type to become a vamp-junkie,” Andrei said.

The words vibrated in her skull over and over again. Each time they did, they stung. She flinched away. A nagging feeling bubbled in her chest.

Junkie? Not her, she never even smoked and only drank socially.

Was she an addict this quick? Never before had she let anything, or anyone control her. But his blood tasted so good. Like fresh snow on a winter's day and a cup of hazelnut coffee with Irish cream.

No, she wouldn't be a slave to this. Her stomach lurched. Dry heaves wracked her body. Andrei pressed a cool cloth to her forehead and pushed her hair out of her face.

“Breathe, just breathe. The withdrawal will pass in a few moments.” He stroked her back and kept the washcloth to her forehead.

She gasped, pain slamming into her chest like an ice pick. It hurt too much to inhale again.

“Damn it, Lynda, breathe!” Andrei shouted, and she inhaled hard and sharp.

This time though, it wasn't as bad as before, but it still burned like a bitch. It felt like someone had scorched her lungs with gasoline and sandpaper.

“That's it. Keep breathing, and it'll be better.”

After half a dozen inhales, she did feel semi-human again. She leaned against Andrei on the safe house’s couch. Both Mihnea and Pierre were gone.

She licked her lips, her mouth dry and her tongue rough. “W-what happened?”

“When you gave me your blood, I slipped into a frenzy. In order to keep a victim compliant, the vampire lures the human into a mirage or memory. But when the feeding goes too far.” Andrei swallowed and looked away, his dark eyes haunted. “Then the illusion turns violent.”

“I died?” She gasped, her eyes locked on his. But he looked away.

“No, yes. I realized what I was doing almost too late.” He turned his face back to her, easing her around to her side. “I'm so sorry. Even Pierre and Mihnea couldn't stop me.”

“How then…?”

“You.” He traced her jawline with his thumb. “Your words. Your utter declaration and willingness to die for me. I couldn’t let that happen. Not to you.”

Her cheeks heated, and she sat up, pulling him toward her. “It was a risk I was willing to take.”

She paused. While she drank his blood, it had been so delicious. Was it the same for him when he fed?

“Do you have the euphoria I tasted when you drink blood?” She asked.

“Yes. But a hundred times stronger.”

“Then no wonder it was difficult for you to stop.” She didn't think she'd have been able to if their situation was reversed.

He sighed. 'It’s even worse when the bloodlust hits or if the vampire is severely injured like I was.”

“How much worse?” She trailed a hand down his chest. His shirt was stained with dried blood and she wanted to take a hot shower with him. Check his muscles for any wounds. Assure herself that he was okay.

“A thousand times...maybe more.” He cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes until she felt like he was reading her soul. “Don't ever take a risk like that again. Next time I might not be able to stop in time. Promise me.”

She leaned forward, brushing her lips against his. “I promise. Why do I feel so strongly toward you and your brothers?”

“Sometimes humans can experience intense devotion from dating supernaturals.” He sighed. “Especially ones that have a powerful lineage.”

“I’ve heard rumors of that, but never actually believed it.” No one had ever affected her the way these three did. “I feel like I will never stop wanting you or your brothers.”

“Good, because that’s how we want it. You’re too special not to share amongst us.” Andrei said, his haunting eyes on hers. “We are willing to share you without issue or jealousy. We all crave you.”

With a growl that sent her heart thumping in excitement, he deepened their kiss. His tongue slid into her mouth, a delicious tease of what was to come.

Her body molded to his and she felt the hard ridge of his excitement press into her hip. She wanted, no needed him inside her.

“Let’s take a shower, you’re covered in dried blood.” She lifted his shirt off him.

“Allow me.” He waved his hand and all the blood vanished off him.

“How—”

“One of the tricks my father taught us. Wouldn’t do any good to be a vampire and covered in blood after draining a victim. Too many villagers would panic at the sight of us walking through town bloody.”

“Nice trick, but I was looking forward to showering with you.” She trailed kisses down his abdomen to the hem of his pants.

“Another time. I can’t wait for a shower, I need you now.”

His sigh made her grin wickedly and she looked up at him through her lashes.

“Do you taste as good here as your blood does?” She teased.

“Better.” He shifted and brushed her hair back from her face. “I love your hair short... but I want nothing to get in the way of seeing your luscious lips wrapped around my cock.”

His words enthralled her, sending desire to heat her belly. She unzipped his pants and freed the target of her explorations. Her eyes went wide when she saw how thick and long he was; how he filled her hand.

She licked him from base to tip, his salty sweetness making her crave him more. A pang of jealousy hit her at the thought that he was meant to find another woman for his match, not her. Her heart hurt, and she gasped from the pain.

“You okay?” He asked, his voice full of worry. “If you changed your mind, it's fine. We can do something else or go out for a drink.”

And that's one of the many reasons why she wanted him...and Mihnea...and Pierre. Was she just being selfish? Falling for these three in an instant because she knew she couldn't have them and therefore they were safe.

“Lynda?” He frowned, pushing to sit up.

“Sorry. Just admiring your physique.” She rubbed her hand up and down his cock before she lightly sucked the tip, taking him deeper and deeper.

Her libido heated up as she felt the smooth glide of him in her hand before she took him even deeper into her mouth. He grasped her shoulders to haul her away from him, but she wanted this. To have him lose control and come in her mouth.

“Fuck, Lynda! I'm going to explode.”

In answer, she sucked harder and moved her other hand to massage his tight balls.

His body jerked, then stilled as she felt his cock throb in her mouth. Pleasure throbbed between her thighs at each pulse that shot his essence down her throat. When he finished, she sat up and licked her lips. His furrowed brow had loosened, and he reminded her of a young man who’d eaten an entire tray of brownies.

“You're right; you do taste better than your blood.”

A bang on the roof made the light above them flicker. Andrei quickly set her aside on the couch. He adjusted himself and leapt to the door with a look of dread pinching his brow.

“What is it?” She asked, worry instantly replacing the desire when she saw his reaction.

He turned to her, “It's Dracula...my father.”

Her stomach soared into her throat.