Warning, mature content

Chapter 12

Dead men walking

Ginna heard the sounds of combat long before she, Elijah and Hayley arrived at the parlor on the west side of the mansion. Tristan, Aya and several members of the Strix were watching Marcel fighting Mohinder. Ginna's first thought was that the younger vampire didn't stand a chance. Mohinder was one of the most skilled warriors Ginna had ever seen.

"Ah, perfect timing, my sweet," Tristan said smiling as he noticed Ginna. "Mr. Gerard is just finishing his test."

"So it seems," Ginna replied calmly, earning a glare from Hayley.

"You find this entertaining?" the brunette asked coolly.

"Not really no," Ginna replied. "But I believe we have all seen worse."

Ginna didn't enjoy violence, she never had, but it had always been a part of her life. The world was and always had been a brutal place. Yet she looked away when Marcel screamed in agony as Mohinder sank his fangs into the younger vampire's throat. Elijah was about to intervene, but for some reason Hayley stopped him and shook her head.

That was strange. As far as Ginna knew, Hayley and Marcel were friends. Why didn't she want Elijah to help him? Mohinder grabbed Marcel by the throat and shoved him against the wall. The older vampire had a stake in his hand.

"You fought with honor," Mohinder stated. "Now it is time to embrace death."

"I will if you will," Marcel replied. "Or do you still not know? You must have tasted it in my blood."

Mohinder stared at him disbelievingly.

"You're starting to feel it, aren't you?" Marcel continued smiling. "The burning sensation in your guts. Wolf's venom. A going away gift from me. I might not have beaten you, but you lost all the same."

Ginna glanced at Tristan who was observing the situation calmly. There was no expression on his face, but Ginna could tell that he was surprised.

"I suggest you make your peace," Marcel stated. "We're both dead men walking."

"That's a lie!" Mohinder shouted. His eyes widened as Marcel pulled up his sleeve, revealing bite marks on his arm. Obviously, Hayley's bite marks. That explained why she had stopped Elijah. Marcel took advantage of Mohinder's disorientation and freed himself from the older vampire's grip.

"I don't know why they want you dead, but clearly they do." Marcel paused and turned to Tristan and Aya. "Why else tell me all about his little feeding habits? Or give me a taste of his techniques when you came to my gym the other day. All I had to do was be observant. But I'm done picking up your breadcrumbs. You want him dead; you're going to have to do it yourself. As far as I can see, the only thing he's done to deserve it is picking his friends poorly."

Marcel panted and lost his balance, but Hayley supported him before he collapsed on the floor. No one said a word, they all waited to see what Tristan would do. Ginna didn't know what his plan was, but she knew that Tristan had also prepared for this outcome. He was an excellent strategist.

Tristan walked over to Mohinder who was coughing blood. Neither of them spoke, Tristan simply patted Mohinder's shoulder before moving behind him. Ginna looked away when Tristan ripped his heart out.

"You chose well," Tristan said to Aya before turning his gaze to Marcel. "Now, I assure you he did deserve it, he's been plotting unspeakable crimes against his sworn brothers and sisters. Of course, you couldn't have known. Defeating such a worthy opponent is prove of your strength and courage. But your refusal to kill without a cause demonstrates rare integrity. You see, Marcel Gerard, this was the test." Tristan paused and picked up Marcel's ring. "Welcome to the Strix," he continued while handing the ring to Marcel. "Assuming you survive."

Marcel was still panting and clearly he was in a bad shape. Elijah moved to his other side and helped Hayley supporting him.

"Let's go," Elijah stated.

Ginna met his gaze, but neither of them said anything. This wasn't the time or the place.

"Are you alright?" Tristan asked after Elijah, Hayley and Marcel had left.

Ginna nodded.

"I'm fine. I just… I need to talk to my family."

Tristan wrapped his arm around her and led her to his office.

"Was that true?" Ginna asked after he had lit up the silence spell candle. "About Mohinder?"

"Yes," Tristan replied. "That was why I chose him to fight Mr. Gerard."

Ginna couldn't help but smile.

"Clever. You would have won despite the outcome."

Tristan smiled too.

"Yes."

"Now what then?"

"Now I'll feed Mr. Gerard the information I want him to give to Klaus."

Ginna nodded.

"Good. I want you to be safe."

Tristan leaned forward to cup her cheek.

"Are you worried about me, my sweet?"

"You know I am," she replied. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Tristan smiled warmly as his fingers caressed her cheek.

"My fierce goddess."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down. It had been too long.

"Take me," she hummed in his ear. "Right here."

She gasped as his lips touched her ear.

"With pleasure."

He turned her around and placed his hands on her hips as she leaned her head back against his shoulder. Quickly and efficiently, he got rid of her evening gown, leaving her standing before him in her black lace underwear.

"This is nice," he hummed as he started to kiss up from her shoulder. "New?"

"Hmm," she murmured, closing her eyes as his lips moved to the side of her neck. She had missed the sensation of his lips and the closeness of his body. His hands slid from her hips moving to the front, towards her stomach while he continued to kiss her neck, starting to bite softly, teasingly. She let out a moan as his hands slid down her leg and then back up.

"Have you missed me?" he whispered in her ear while his hands move between her legs, touching her inner thigh in each hand.

"You know I have," she sighed.

His hands gently squeezed her thighs as he continued to bite her neck. She managed to surprise him by moving her hips back, pushing her body against his.

"It seems that you have also missed me," she purred as she felt his hardness against her.

He groaned and pushed his fingers into her panties. She gasped then as she felt suddenly his fingers touching her clit. As her hips pressed back against him at every thrust towards his stroking fingers, his hard member pressed against her bottom through his pants.

"Tristan," she moaned as he moved his fingers deeper and stroked longer along her clit. Her hips were moving with his hands, she grabbed the desk desperately for support and shivered as she felt his fingers entering her. His body moved against hers, her back cradled against his front. She was close and she knew he felt that.

"Come for me," he whispered in her ear. "Come for me, my goddess."

She cried out as he pushed her on the verge of climax and continued torturing her until she fell.

"That's it," he hummed. "Show me that you're mine."

She was shaking as he unhooked her bra and pulled her panties down her legs before turning her to face him. He still had all his clothes on, but he had lowered his pants. He enjoyed that, taking her when she was completely naked while he kept his clothes on. She didn't mind, although she preferred him being naked as well. He smiled at her while he tasted her juices in his fingers. She gasped as he suddenly grabbed her and lifted her on the edge of the desk, spreading her legs open.

"Ginna," he groaned as he guided himself at her entrance and thrust into her.

She moaned loudly as his body rocked, shoved and thrusted against her. She loved the way his body felt.

"Oh Tristan," she moaned and felt him thrust harder. His hands gripped her hips as he thrusted again, again and again. She moaned louder as she felt the first of his juices thrust into her. Her body responded and she came again. After that his thrusts slowed down and finally, he stopped moving. They were both panting, and they stayed there in that position for a while. He stroked her hair and looked at her, smiling at her comfortable and relaxed smile.

"I love you," he murmured.

She kissed him before leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I love you too."