Disclaimer: See chapter I
AN: This chapter has an R rating, so beware
Chap. XVII
-0-
Michael unconsciously backed away from a now-awake and possibly angry Selene, who stood up to him, staring him down. Michael couldn't believe that he was backing away. She couldn't really hurt him or harm him seriously, but the sight of her eyes had caused him to simply react. He soon found him back against the closed door, with Selene stalking him still. Her ice blue eyes were solid on him and her hands were in tight fists as she advanced on him. 'I've stolen a kiss from her.' he mused to himself. 'That must be why she's angry.'
Selene trapped him against the door and before him. Despite his situation, he still couldn't help taking in Selene's scent. But his attention was taken away from it when her fist opened up and grabbed hold of his hair. Michael's head yanked back in her grip, but he didn't wince. He figured that he deserved whatever punishment she dished out against him and simply waited. Waited while examining her cold eyes and...quivering lips?
"S...?"
He didn't finish that sentence as Selene rushed at him and gave him a rather passionate kiss. Michael's mind completely shut off as Selene's cold lips ran hungrily against his. But while Michael's mind was in stunned shock, the rest of his body reacted to her advance, returning the kiss with equal ferocity. This went on for a full minute before they parted briefly. Michael just barely managed to come to his senses when Selene came at him again with another mind-blowing kiss. Michael unexpectedly backed away, causing one of her fangs to cut his lower lip. Michael looked at her eyes, trying to get a handle on what was happening to him.
To them...
But while he was wondering these things, Selene licked her lips, tasting the blood from his wound. Her vision became hazy and her thoughts enflamed. Michael looked at her strangely as she slowly drifted closer. Michael soon understood why. She was beginning to feel the bloodlust, but wanted him to join in. His instincts were beginning to overcome him as the beautiful vampiress drifted in and out before his mouth.
'Selene...'
Caressing her cheek, he finally gave in to his instinct and lust and pressed his lips on her. Selene took it in just as before, tasting both his fiery kiss and the blood that was mixed with it. This was the perfect aphrodisiac for her as her lips went as though she was trying to consume him. Michael too, was becoming lost in the throes of passion as he sought as much as her taste as well.
But there was always more...
The kiss began to slow down, but not their passions. Selene backed away, much to Michael's dismay. A sly smile crossed her face ever so slightly as her hands finally moved from his hair and onto his neck. In truth, she didn't know why she initiated this. It was as though his soft kiss triggered the pent-up emotions and feelings she was experiencing. Going lower, her hands slid into his shirt and pulled it aside. The warmth of chest was a foreign feeling to her, but that made it all the more thrilling.
She watched her hands graze over his body and move over to his arms. Bring them upward, her fingers trailed over the skin, causing him to shiver slightly. Looking back up at his face, she saw that his focus was no longer on her face, but on everything underneath. Giving him another kiss, she reached to his hands and gently pulled him to the bed and sat him down. Standing over him, she bent down to his face and gave him another kiss. It was brief, but there was no love lost in it. And it served to put his mind in a dreamy state once again. Selene smiled within, enjoying the effect she had on him.
Michael felt like he was in heaven and hell. Heaven, because Selene was before her in such a way, and hell, in because he wanted more. His instincts drove him once again and his hands lifted up to her shoulders. Selene shut her eyes calmly as Michael began to pull down the zipper in the back of her jumpsuit. Once done, his hands trailed up her back, causing her to shiver this time. A wolfish smile crossed his lips at the sight and his hands returned to her shoulders, pulling off the tight suit off her shoulders.
Selene reopened her eyes and watched as he removed her clothing. He was fascinated by her body and she didn't discourage it. As the upper half slipped off, his eyes roved over her naked flesh ending at her eyes again. Staring herself, she saw the desire he had within them. She knew this because they mirrored her own.
But she also knew...that there was more...so much more...
Michael meanwhile, continued to stared back into her eyes. Her amber eyes were always endearing to him, but it was these ice blue eyes that seduced him. He drifted to her lips and they embraced once more, with Selene straddling her legs over his and wrapping her arms around him. Michael was once again lost in her embrace, letting instinct drive him in this endeavor. One of his hands moved down her shoulder and lightly on her breast. A quick breath shot out of Selene, stopping their kiss, but not his gentle caress. Selene let out a soft moan as Michael ran his fingers her delicate flesh. Her mouth parted with continual gasps, letting her fangs bare out in open air. Michael watched with great interest, letting his mind reach a heightened state of arousal.
Selene didn't know if heaven existed, but she knew for a fact that this was close. But still... Working hard to clear her mind from his actions, Selene reached both her hands to his face and pulled him in for a deeper embrace. This time, she added extra encouragement by pressing her lower body against him, causing him to become very excited. So much so, that he rolled her over with her back on the bed, their lips locked and their tongues intertwined. Selene stretched her arms back as Michael continued to gorge on her, his advances becoming more and more desperate.
Suddenly, his head backed away showing his eyes beginning to darken. Selene watched as Michael struggled with himself, slowly transforming into his hybrid form. It seemed that he was resisting, but she knew he wouldn't. He wanted this. She wanted this. To see Michael in his darkest form in this. As his skin began to shift to blue, Selene's own heart began to pour. Her senses had been made very acute in this and right now, her hearing was the dominant sense. She heard his heart beat loudly before her, causing her to trace the sound onto...his neck.
His neck...
Her lips pressed, remembering the taste of his blood on her lips. As he continued to change, her face moved up to his chest. Her cheek caressed it softly as she continued up, ultimately reaching her goal. His vein throbbed just beneath the skin, more so because of his changing. She gave it gentle kisses, savoring what was to come. It was like a sealed well to her; with water she thirsted for. She remembered when she first tasted him and she enjoyed it, despite the situation. But now, it would not be tainted with silver nitrate. This time, it would be pure. With her bloodlust practically screaming in her ears, her mouth soon parted and her fangs emerged only for a moment, before sinking deep into his throat.
"Ah!"
Michael had given a light gasp, but Selene didn't let go. Given her drive, she would have never let him go. Her arms were tight around him, with one holding his back and the other, the back of his neck. The taste of his life-blood was far too intoxicating to release and she took all she wanted. Michael's gasped a few more times, but didn't move away as Selene continued to drink. He could barely discern her slurping away on him, draining him and causing him to feel a little lightheaded. Selene's grasp became tighter as she drew more from him in her vampire thirst and Michael felt for certain that she was going to drain him dry. But mid-way, Selene released him and fell back against the mattress. Her mouth was stained with his blood as she gasped for air, with her hand on his chest. She glanced at his neck briefly, but looked back into Michael's now black eyes. He saw she wanted more. Hell, she wanted it all. Then why did she stop?
Your turn...
Michael blinked at this realization, wondering if that was true or not. But he knew it was. The sight of his blood on her lips made him thirst for her own. Normally, such a thought would have sickened him, but now it was arousing him most of all. His head backed away, but only slightly as he realized that he was panting.
Come...
The lycan in him saw her body and wanted to dive in and take her. The vampire saw her throat and wanted to sink his fangs in and drink. But it was the human in him, the one that looked into her eyes, which held back. He wanted to know if this was the right thing to do. All the emotions that raged in him were battling with his uncertainty. Something held him back and Selene began to notice. Wordlessly, she moved her hand from his chest and brushed the hair on her left side, exposing her porcelain neck. The hybrid's lustful hunger grew tenfold, but he still held back. He wanted to so badly, but he couldn't... He...he...
"Michael..."
Her hand soon moved away from her hair and up to his cheek. Michael was complete spellbound between her soft caress and her cold blue eyes. Eyes that he once thought only showed a deadly killer was now showing a hidden emotion. It was then that he knew. It was more than lust or passion or even fear.
It was love...
That illumination was more than enough. At her gentle urging, he slowly moved closer to her neck and his mouth slowly parted. Selene shut her eyes, knowing full well what she had initiated. But she wanted it. Since the beginning, this was what she wanted. She had shown her love. He had to return it.
And he did...
His fangs ripped into her neck, causing her to practically scream. But she held his head in place as he began. He was slow at first, but she knew that like her, the first taste of it would be enough to set him off. And that proved true for soon, he began to drain her, holding onto her tightly as he did. Selene gave airless gasps as Michael continued drinking, giving out short growls with each gulp. Her eyes rolled with ecstasy as the hybrid continued to drink from her. It hurt her, but the pleasure that waved through her made it all worth it. With him holding her tightly against his own body, Selene wasn't sure how much of this she could take. If there was a time to die, it would be now.
Selene's panting was soon becoming short when Michael released her, howling into the air as she fell back on the mattress again. Selene was completely dazed and it took her some time before she could focus on him again. Her neck was dripping with blood, but she didn't care. Rather, she looked up to see Michael head still in the air. It remained above for a minute before it lowered down to her again. Black and blue met again and Michael cocked his head slightly. Selene saw his exposed neck and her bloodlust returned in force. She elicited a light snarl to which he returned in kind. He lowered down to her again, exchanging another kiss before she moved her head away, heading for his neck once again, but not before whispering into his ear something faint, but discernable to the hybrid.
"I love you…"
Her fangs opened quickly as she bit into the open wound and Michael did the same. Her cry was cut off only because her mouth was already draining him away as he drank of her. Low, steady moans echoed from both of them as they held each other, taking away each other's life-blood. Their bodies rubbed against each other while this continued, causing them to be driven more and more; their moans the only evidence of their ecstasy. The pumping grew faster and the gulps more urgent. Selene began to writhe beneath him, beginning to reach her peak. Michael increased the rhythm, causing her to release his neck out of sheer pleasure until finally...
"MICHAELLLLLLLLL!"
The lycans in the den all covered their ears at the sound of her sheer cry...
Orhogdaz
The regal form of Octavia strode into the lower level of the mansion heading toward the training area of the Death Dealers. After sleeping through the day, she had thought steady about how to discern the secret Marcus had been keeping. The direct approach was out of the question; Marcus was no fool. So she would have to enlist some indirect aid. And the best place to get such help would be the Death Dealers themselves. The vampire warriors were loyal without a fault and that would serve her purposes well. She met up with the current commander, Lucas, who was training with the younger Victor.
"Lady Octavia." Lucas said upon seeing her and then bowed his head. Victor followed suit beside him.
"Please, be at ease." she said softly.
The two warriors arose and Lucas addressed her, "How may we help you?"
"Well, I have been thinking about Lord Marcus's safety." she answered off-handedly. "He must be protected."
Victor interjected, "My lady, as an Elder, Marcus is more than capable than caring for himself. His strength and power exceeds anything we can do."
Lucas cast him a fierce glance to with the younger vampire shank back slightly. Octavia noticed this and simply waved it off.
"True, but I am unsure as to his power against the hybrid." Her voice then went sad, "Viktor died because of that creature."
"Viktor died because of that traitor." Lucas hissed.
"Nevertheless, they had come in once before. I don't want that to happen again."
"We have guards stationed at every corner of the mansion." Lucas assured her. "They will not get in."
"Very well." she nodded. But as she seemed to turn away, she thoughtfully suggested, "But keep an eye on Marcus just in case. This place has internal cameras does it not?"
"It does."
"Check them. See if you can find something on the hybrid or anything that might help us against them."
"Yes, my lady."
She finally turned fully, but before she left, she added again, this time with a semi-sultry voice. "And please keep me informed."
"As you wish." Lucas replied quickly.
'It can be so easy sometimes.' Octavia smiled to herself as she left the training area. Lucas and Victor watched her go and then turned around to their task.
"I don't know." Lucas muttered slowly. "It seems...wrong. Like I have a bad feeling."
Lucas kept his eyes forward, "Considering everything that's happened, all I get are bad feelings. Still, she's only looking out for the well-being of the covens. We better get to work."
'This can't be happening.'
Erika shook her head lightly as she began to move toward the throne room. She had just resolved not to come here and see...him again when she was told that it was her time to serve Marcus his meal. She could have rejected it. After all, many of the others maidservants wanted the chance to serve him. But it would have been foolish to turn it down as well, as that would probably make her look bad in front of the others. So keeping her resolution in mind, she moved through the hallway with the cup for Marcus to feed. She stopped just before the entryway and took a deep breath.
'Just give it to him and go.' she reassured herself before entering. Marcus was standing by the wall, looking away into space. Erika strode in and bowed, keeping the cup leveled up. When Marcus made no move, she quietly settled the cup in front of the throne and began to walk out. It was easier than she thought. She didn't even have to talk to him or look into those eyes of his...as beautiful as they were. But there was a problem. Seeing him that way caused her...to actually care. She stopped short from walking out and turned her head. He hadn't changed position since she entered and that caused her to turn fully.
"You appeared troubled, my lord."
There was a slight shift in his stance and his head turned a bit. But despite this, the Elder stayed silent. Erika wanted to leave now, but found that she was unable to. Not when he was like this. Saying that he was troubled was an understatement. Taking another breath, she moved over to him and knelt down before him. His scent was heavily upon her senses, but she didn't move. She heard the shift in his movement as he turned to her.
"What are you doing?"
Erika remained motionless, "I...I offer myself to you, my lord."
Marcus quietly looked at the blond girl. She was obviously a devoted servant, but to do this? Perhaps she wanted something from him. It wouldn't surprise him. There had been many like that. But to him, she didn't seem that way. Somehow, his sense told him that she was truly concerned. He didn't know if it was a lycan trait or a hybrid ability, but it was there for certain. Returning his attention to the woman below him, he lowered down a bit and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Please, get up."
Erika obeyed and slowly arose along with the Elder, keeping her eyes lowered in the process.
"I...appreciate your concern. But I am okay. You need not do this."
Erika's eyes began to lift, but then shot back downward again. Marcus noticed this and removed his hand.
"What is you name?"
"Erika." she answered softly.
Marcus nodded, "Erika. Thank you for your concern. I have had much on my mind that needs to be addressed to the coven. But I worry about the possible consequences."
Erika jittered her head a bit, "We are your servants. Whatever you have to say, we will remain that."
"That's a possibility. But that too is in danger as well."
Erika clenched her hands tightly and then lifted her head up fully, taking in the Elder's deep gaze.
"If it helps...I will remain at you side."
Marcus cocked his head slightly at her words. Again, no deception, although there was fear there. But she was being honest, despite the fact that even she couldn't believe it.
"It does help. Thank you, Erika."
Erika gave another bow and left the room. She was completely baffled by what she declared. 'Why did I tell him all of that? I will remain by his side? My God.' But she meant every word of it. Which made her wonder what he meant about possible consequences. 'Consequences of what?'
-"A lot of things happened that night. Things that if I tell you now, you may misunderstandthem. When I am brought to judgment, I will tell everyone. Be there to find out."-
She didn't know why, but what Selene spoke of must have had something still to do with what Marcus said. But what? What could worry the Elder so? Whatever it was, she would do as said.
She would remain by his side...
Sisera stood by the subway entrance, waiting for the return of the sole lycan who could be their alpha. Before he left, Ethan had told her that he left the decision up to Michael, but that he would also stay with the pack now. Sisera for her part was glad to hear that he would remain. She had hoped that Ethan had resolved some of the pain he had gone through since his loss enough for him to be with them again. Ethan could be a great leader, much like Lucian. 'It has to be genetic.' As these thoughts finished in her mind, the shadow of the mentioned lycan appeared and was shortly followed by Ethan himself.
"Welcome back. You're a little late."
Ethan lowered the duffel bag on the ground nearby, "Sorry. I didn't expect that it would take so long."
That was an understatement. He had been out the entire afternoon. It was near to nightfall now. The exotic lycan placed a hand on her hip.
"You were thinking about it again, weren't you?"
Ethan didn't even try to hide it. "Yes." he replied somberly. "What else could I do?"
"I see that you're taking this seriously." she noted with a tone of humor in her voice"
Ethan shook his head, "Funny, Sisera. I have to be ready whether Michael chooses to stay or not. Speaking of which, where..."
The female lycan gave a secret smile, "I think they are still...resting."
Ethan looked up at her strangely for a moment before he sniffed the air soundlessly. The scents of body heat as well as traces of blood were strong enough to catch and the sounds of resting bodies confirmed what he thought.
"Oh. So that was what I heard."
Sisera blinked, "You heard her?"
Ethan nodded, "Just about. It was hypersonic, I think. But I wasn't able to discern it fully."
"You are lucky then. Many of the others still have bleeding ears from it."
"Well, someone has..."
A shuffle of noise suddenly caught their attention from above. The two turned back to the stairs and Ethan took a step up before taking in the scent coming from the sounds. Sisera took it in as well and recognized it instantly.
"Zhan!"
Indeed, it was the lycan male, staggering down the stairs into view before them. His clothes were tattered and worn, showing signs that he was in a heavy fight. Zhan's still lycan eyes focused on Sisera and then intently on Ethan.
"You...!"
With a snarl, he lunged down the stairs at him...