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Chapter 8 - Heart's Desire

"So where are they, exactly?" Kraven slammed his hands onto the table. A wineglass tottered to the floor, shattering into thousands of dazzling shards amid red liquid.

Erika jumped back, hands clasped tight to her abdomen. "I told you! All I know is that they're somewhere in America."

"You abandoned the coven to tell me that? I need to know exactly where they are, you stupid twit. Do you have any idea how big America is?"

Her back stiffened with injured pride, "I'm not stupid, Kraven. I left because there were eyes watching me. The other's were getting suspicious and I didn't fancy being Markus' next victim. Do you have any idea how crazed he's become ? He's been staking 'traitors' out in the courtyard!"

"You were being watched and you left anyway? How do you know you weren't followed?" Kraven's eyes narrowed as he stalked around the table towards her.

"I was careful." A pink tongue darted out between her lips, "Honestly, love, I would never put you in danger!"

Kraven paused, eyeing her shrewdly. He'd lamented the loss of Soren and his team of Death Dealers, as they'd been ever faithful to him. With no other resources available, he'd had to take a chance on Erika. His decision had paid off, though, and he knew she spoke the truth. She wouldn't knowingly drag danger to his doorstep. He'd spun a web of lust around her throughout the years, giving her just enough of what she wanted to make sure her loyalty to him never wavered. Kraven knew what she wanted, what she'd always wanted and the thought sent a ghost of a grin across his face. How easy she was to lead, this little vixen. He would never make her his Queen, of course. She wasn't pure enough for such a position, but he didn't need to make her aware of that, now did he? Erika was still useful to him. He would get rid of her when his own position was stronger.

Softly, he stepped up in front of her, raising a hand to caress a golden curl at her temple. Kraven watched her magnificent eyes dilate with passion as he ran a hand down the smooth column of her throat. She let her head fall back, knowing what was to come, what he wanted. It was the same as always, but still, never boring. Kraven's lips teased a trail down her dove white neck, pausing at the pulsing beat. His own breath quickened in anticipation, hands spanning her waist, fingers kneading her willing flesh.

"Tell me again," he murmured. "What did you find out?"

Erika's breath hitched as her hands found their way beneath his silk shirt. Caressing Kraven's tightly muscled abdomen, she groaned. "Can't I tell you later?"

His hands had worked their way to her breasts, freeing them from the constraints of the corset she wore. Her nipples hardened as he flicked his thumbs over the rosy peaks. Kraven knew she was ready for him; she was always ready, but he loved to tease her. Pushing her ever closer to the edge, then holding back. It was the ultimate power...having a woman so completely under his control. A far cry from the addled youth he'd been when he was human, taking his human wife.

"Tell me now." he hissed, lifting her hips; cradling her buttocks in his hands.

And she told him of her suspicions about Kahn, how she'd crept about the manor like a mouse, ears to the wall. Seeing him leave one night, she'd followed, her cold heart hammering a staccato beat in her chest. When he'd strolled to the farthest reaches of the property, she'd almost turned back. There was no way for her to hide out there. He would pick up her scent quicker than the blink of an eye. But she'd picked up a scent of her own. A lycan...and she'd crept as close as she could get, hoping her own scent would be attributed to the fact that they were still on coven property.

"And what did he say?" Kraven whispered through his kisses, tongue flicking against the deep cleft between her breasts.

Erika's breath hitched in her throat, "He told the lycan to tell Selene she still has friends. And the lycan..." Kraven's ministrations were fogging her mind, she could barely hold onto his shoulders, let alone think.

His hands stroked her legs, trailing up her thighs, "Tell me..."

"Kahn said...he said he would side with the lycan's, if they promised Selene's safety." She moaned passionately, her own lips teasing his earlobe. "That's when the lycan told him they were safe in America...Selene and the hybrid."

Erika clutched him tighter, holding on for all she was worth as he drove her to the brink of lustful insanity. His next words heightened her passion all the more, for they held the hint of violence...of bloodshed.

"I think it's time I reacquainted myself with Kahn..."

Then neither of them thought much at all for the next few hours.