Chapter 39 – The Missing Piece

I spun around to find Gwion standing behind me!

"I see you are feeling better," he smirked. He leaned leisurely against the doorway, but his presence seemed to fill the entire room. He wore a sleek black suit that must have been custom tailored, because it clung to his muscular physique flawlessly, making him look extremely – masculine. My gaze wandered slowly down his body and back up. His lips curled at my obvious appreciation.

Gwion eyed me speculatively and murmured, "You saved me a trip. I was just headed to check on you. I knew Myrnin was giving me a line of bullshit about your being sick. I must say though, I did not expect to find that he had changed you."

Shane inhaled sharply. "Changed?! You are a vampire now?! WHY would you do that?" His eyes were wide in shock, and then understanding crossed his expression. "You never wanted a chance to talk about our relationship – you knew I would never want you now – you were just fucking with my head, again," he hurled the accusation at me in disgust.

"Be careful, boy. I let you live once. I am not a generous man," Gwion warned in a low voice. His normal smirk was replaced with the anticipatory smile of a cold-blooded killer.

I shivered.

Shane clenched his fists. Without another word, he stormed past Gwion out of the room.

Gwion smiled and began again, "So, let me see if I understand you correctly. You decide not to attend the party with Myrnin, but then you sneak in and try to get your ex-boyfriend to go out on a date with you. Does that about cover it?" He shook his head without waiting for my response and continued, "While Raven says he is a surprisingly giving lover for a human, I highly doubt that Myrnin leaves you wanting. So, what could you possibly need with the human?"

I ignored his question and hissed, "What are you doing with Shane?"

"Hmmm…you sound very territorial… Interesting… Not to worry, Raven has been very gentle with him. Frankly, it was quite a generous offer on my part – knowing what I know about Raven." He winked. "I just gave him something to take his mind off of you. Is that a problem?" he asked innocently.

I glared at him, "Of, course not!"

"And yet, here you are, playing with that poor boy's emotions… Just to get him away from a very effective distraction, tsk, tsk…" his voice trailed off pointedly. "She did teach him a few tricks, so if you want him back, I am certain he will be better for the experience," he added with feigned helpfulness.

My hands clenched my hips as I scowled at him defiantly. He smiled wickedly, his unfathomable gaze pulling me in. There was something different about his eyes. I didn't know what it was, but it drew me to him like a moth to a flame. The moment lingered as adrenaline coursed through me, causing my chest to heave and I gasped, "Are you compelling me?"

"Why do you think I am compelling you?" He chuckled and tilted his head to the side.

"The way you're looking at me," I stuttered.

His smile widened. "No, little minx, I am not compelling you. Whatever you feel right now – that is all you," he spoke with a seductive smile, as he advanced on me. I took a few cautionary steps to the side, circling him slightly to maintain the space between us. I wasn't sure how he accomplished it, but I was fully convinced he was prowling toward me.

"But I must confess… Now you have me curious… What are you feeling? Will you let your guard down, so that I can taste you?" he purred.

I didn't miss the innuendo in his words. Heat seemed to shimmer across my skin. This was ridiculous; I needed to get my shit back together. What the hell was wrong with me? I mentally checked the edges of my defenses, keeping all of my emotions tightly tucked away.

In the absence of my response, Gwion contemplated, "Your guard is surprisingly strong, but maybe that should be expected with Myrnin as your sire."

His eyes danced as he murmured provocatively, "Would you like me to teach you something?"

I looked at him and asked apprehensively, "What do you want to do to me?"

"Well, that is a very broad question, for which I have more than a few answers; however, why don't we just stick with testing your mental defenses for now," his eyes glittered mischievously.

I hesitated.

Gwion coaxed me, "Come now, little minx, you know I can teach you. And I know; you want me to."

I knew this wasn't a good idea...it was exactly how I lost control with Myrnin the first time. But I wanted Gwion to teach me, more than anything. Even after knowing all he had done, I couldn't deny his brilliance, and the side of me that thirsted for his knowledge, was as strong as the side that thirsted for human blood. I tried to fight my desire, but it was too strong...I nodded and waited, trembling slightly with no idea what to expect. Immediately my complete attention was focused as I felt him enter my mind. During the challenges, he had purposefully kept me from recognizing he was manipulating me. But now, he did not mask his presence and I felt it clearly.

He was shockingly powerful.

Without my conscious thought, my brain lashed out at his invasiveness, and shoved him out. I panted from the adrenaline surging through my body.

"Hmmm…" he murmured. "Your response was not purposeful, yes?"

"Yes… My brain reacted automatically," I breathed.

He nodded and continued, "You have powerful latent skills, but you need to learn how to purposefully engage them. I'm going to try again; this time stronger. Be ready for me."

I inhaled sharply as I braced myself for his attack. His presence was immediate and fierce. I felt my body trying to push him out, but it wasn't enough. I squeezed my eyes shut as panic rose up in me.

He grasped my shoulders gently and spoke hypnotically, "Calm down and focus. Do not fear me. Instead, pay attention to how I feel inside of you; let your body experience me."

I held still and forced the panic out; it was similar to what I used to do with Myrnin when he was on the edge. Once I had my fear locked down, I concentrated fully on the pressure in him inside of me. It was almost as if I could reach out and touch him; letting my brain act as fingers to memorize how his mind ebbed and flowed. Once I recognized it, my brain compensated, altering the structure of my defensive block. I breathed a sigh of relief, as I held strong.

"Well done, little minx. Keep your eyes closed. Just a little bit farther…" he murmured.

I thought I was ready. I thought I understood what he meant when he said, 'just a little bit farther'.

I was wrong.

Because his 'little-bit-farther' rocked my world. I gasped and panted under the onslaught of him. I panicked again. I was losing – no, I was going to die. My body trembled. I fully expected to hit the floor as my legs gave out, but Gwion wrapped his steel arms around me and held me tightly. In the back of my mind, I thought I heard him whisper, "Come on, little minx. You can do this… Show me who you really are…"

And then I snapped.

Everything inside of me locked down tight. I could feel every fiber of my being, and I centered all of that concentration on him. I felt myself gaining ground. My eyes shot open and I stared at him; power and a searing hot lust for dominance flowed through me wildly. His pupils were completely dilated with a crimson edge. I narrowed my gaze and calculated the best way to gain the advantage over him.

His lips turned up in a wicked smile as he purred, "There you are…"

I pulled myself out of his embrace and stood defiantly, a low hum pulsating through my core. He was still present in my mind, but I kept him contained. He could go no farther. Almost as if I were listening to another person, I heard myself challenge him, "Is that the best you've got?"

He smiled knowingly. And then surprised me when he changed the subject abruptly, as he contemplated, "Myrnin rarely changes anyone… Even those he beds… So what is different about you – and why now? Shall we see if I can solve this mystery?"

I smirked, "You may know Myrnin, but I can assure you; you do not know me. So, give it your best shot."

"Indeed," Gwion replied with a wide smile and then thought out loud, "Myrnin seemed perfectly content with your human frailty – at least for the moment. And with his power flowing through you, you were a more resilient human than most."

His eyes were calculating as he circled me.

"And you didn't give me the impression of those ridiculous humans, who sleep with a vampire, in hopes of becoming one. Probably, just the opposite, in fact. So what did change?"

I sighed deeply, "Your questions bore me."

"Do they? Then tell me what I should do to keep your attention," he licked his lips and advanced on me intently.

My toes curled in anticipation as I watched him approach, but when he was near enough to reach me, I spun my body out his grip and giggled, "It is not that easy..."

"I can see that; which leads me to the not-so-small matter of your confidence. You firmly believe that you can toy with me…And win… This calls into question your lucidity. You see, being a vampire amplifies your human traits; it does not change them. It just gives you the power to act out all of those inner desires. And since, we both know you are not crazy or foolish… Tell me the piece I am missing," he growled huskily.

"The piece you are missing? I repeated with a laugh. "How about that teeny tiny morsel where I played a game with you – as a human – and won? How many other people can say that? Hmmm…none, right? So maybe, my confidence is to be expected."

"Maybe…" he allowed slowly.

I could tell he wasn't convinced, but I didn't care and taunted him, "So, no new revelations about me then?"

"Just one… I think it is abundantly clear why Myrnin made you stay home tonight."

I frowned and spat, "Myrnin does not control me."

"Not anymore, it seems…" Gwion agreed with a smirk and held out his elbow in invitation, "Shall we dance?"

"Finally, something fun to do!" I took his arm excitedly and followed him. I knew Myrnin would probably be angry, but he didn't own me – even though he seemed to think otherwise. A fresh wave of irritation flowed through me.

Gwion leaned down and whispered in my ear, "You look stunning, by the way." I smiled back at him radiantly as we entered the ballroom...

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Thoughts? Guesses at what happens next? I'd love to hear your ideas. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the feedback...you guys are awesome!