Dark Magic

“As soon as Gregori returns, we can go out and get you di

It was already dark. Gary had no idea what had happened after he arrived at the house the night before. He cleared his throat nervously. “What exactly happened last night? All I remember is getting to the house with you and then waking up an hour ago. I’m assuming that I slept the day away.” There was a wariness in his voice, in his mind, that hadn’t been there before. It was a singular experience to realize someone had taken all control away from him.

“I didn’t wake you until we were certain it was safe. Last night Gregori had an encounter with two of the undead’s servants and a lesser vampire. He defeated them, of course, and destroyed them so they couldn’t rise again. It was safer for you to remain here. We weren’t holding you prisoner. We simply wanted to keep you safe.” Amusement crept into her voice. “I don’t think Gregori really knows what to do with you.”

Gary’s heart jumped. He cleared his throat. “I hope you mean that positively.”

Sava

Gregori tugged at her wrist, taking her out into the sanctuary of the courtyard with its dense, overgrown plants. Flowers tumbled from the overhead arbors and trailed along his shoulders as he emerged fully into the night. “You are deliberately scaring that young man to death,” he accused.

She lifted her face to his, stars from the night sky in the centers of her eyes. “Well, really, how could anyone doubt you?” As her palm caressed the hard line of his jaw, one fingertip touched his perfect mouth.

“Stop thinking you have to protect me, Sava

The moment his mouth claimed hers, she felt the earth moving in that peculiar, shifting way, the white streak of fire rushing through her bloodstream to pool low and hot. Her body went liquid, boneless, melting instantly into his. His arms crushed her close. “Feed, ma petite.Feed for me.”

Her lips burned over his throat in obedience; her tongue stroked his pulse there. It was sensuous. Erotic. His body tightened with alarming need. His pulse jumped beneath the exploring caress. Gregori caught her slender form and held her even tighter to him, enclosing her in the protection of his arms.

Sava

Then he felt the disturbance in the night air, a whisper of movement, and he knew they were not alone. Holding her protectively, his body sheltering her from prying eyes, Gregori raised slashing silver eyes to the man wandering into the courtyard. Gary hadn’t spotted them yet; his gaze was full of wonder at the unexpected beauty of the yard. Gregori sank deeper into the shadows, swirling a cape of invisibility around them. His hand found the nape of her neck, pressing her mouth to his skin.

Her feeding was stirring his body to greater demands. He could not imagine watching her feed from another male when he was burning with fire from the simple act. Slowly, reluctantly, Sava

His mouth shifted so that he could explore hers, at first demanding, then in a slow, careful kiss that seared her with tenderness. Sava

She laughed softly with regret, throwing her head back so her long braid swayed. “Weren’t you the one who invited him to stay?”

“I believe that was you,” he corrected through clenched teeth. She was a fever in his blood. A madness he had no hope of curing. He wanted no cure. He bent to find her breast through the thin material of her shirt.

The night air was soft and cool against his skin. The bats dipped and wheeled above them. The scent of blossoms was all around them as their bodies tangled together. Sava

“You are being a little instigator,” he accused.

She nibbled at the lobe of his ear, teasing it with the tip of her tongue. The aroma of coffee was drifting nearer. The soles of Gary’s te

Gregori found himself suppressing a groan. Sava

Mmm, and it’s so delicious, too,she murmured softly, losing herself in the sheer pleasure of his dominating mouth.

Gary was just on the other side of the arbor, the screen of honeysuckle and trumpet vines heavy between them. Gregori took command of the situation, reluctantly lifting his head, a dark promise in his glittering eyes, a soft groan escaping his throat.

Gary had thought himself completely alone. He looked around the courtyard carefully, his fingers tightening around the coffee mug. He could hear Sava

Are you reading the human’s thoughts, mapetite femme? Gregori’s satisfied voice whispered in her mind. Even one such as he knows you are wild like the winds.With great reluctance he loosened his hold on her. Go inside the house.

Her eyes widened in mock surprise. You mean he might think we were making love? We would have been if he hadn’t wandered out and interrupted us.

Push me further,chérie, and I may do something you will not like.

She laughed out loud, totally unafraid as she sashayed through the courtyard. As she passed Gary, she leaned over and blew warm air into his ear.

Sava