Undying Thirst (Crimson Coven #2)

31. Catalina

THIRTY-ONE

catalina

Jax cleared his throat from where he stood at the entrance of the living room. “I heard you chased away the Blackthorn female.” Color me stunned. He didn’t normally initiate conversation. I looked at him and then away, returning to rubbing my stomach. It’d been hurting all day. The nerves from seeing Imogen’s portrait, the conversation with Peter, him actually leaving, and waiting for the other shoe to drop when they discovered he left, all of it settled on me like weighted bags.

It took me a moment to collect my thoughts. I popped up from where I leaned my hip against the couch.

“She was a tad extreme,” I said carefully. Jax walked toward me, not stopping until he was arms distance away.

“I figured you wouldn’t do well at a vampire function, but they won’t listen to me,” he shook his head slightly. I pursed my lips, and he put one hand up. “It’s not a comment meant to offend you. Just an observation.”

Contemplation laced his words, but his eyes wouldn’t move away from my body. He rubbed his thumb and pointer finger against his closed eyes, hiding the flash of red.

“It’s a little too late to be saying that now, since we’re leaving in a few hours,” I drawled, crossing my arms. I’d showered and done my hair already. I was waiting until we were closer to go-time before I finished my make-up and slipped into that beautiful dress the twins fucked me in.

His lips quirked up at the corners. “I’m all for not going. If you’d like to let the others know, I wouldn’t be opposed to it.” I shook my head, put off by how close he was getting to me. “I’m going in there as a Pet—what are you doing?” Jax’s thumb stopped rubbing against my cheek. He blinked as if coming out of a trance and he scowled.

“Your cheeks flushed . . .” he cleared his throat, spearing his fingers through the top of his short blond hair, slicking it back.

I pressed the back of my hand against my cheek. It suddenly felt too hot in my new matching matcha-colored silk pajamas.

“Oh.” What else could I say? I stepped back. His focus made me nervous. He was the quickest to anger. If I spat the truth out to him about Peter, then I could release this suffocating weight on my shoulders. Also, he would stop looking at me like that. He needed to go back to his glaring. “I had my brother leave.” I set my jaw in a stubborn tilt, daring him to come at me. Jax’s lips twitched.

What was his problem? He’d never reacted this way. I expected an explosion of accusations flying at me. This though? It caused somersaulting in my stomach.

“You guys look cozy,” Asher said, smugness coating his tone. I jumped back, putting space between me and Jax, but I kept shooting him furtive peeks from the corner of my eyes. Angry twin grunted.

I opened and closed my mouth, at a loss for words.

Jax hummed, not taking his attention away from me. I had no idea how to even place meaning to that, but this was Jax. A more mercurial vampire I’d never met. “She did as we expected and had her brother leave.”

“It took her much longer than I thought it would.”

My head ping ponged between both of them.

“Y-you knew?”

Asher raised his eyebrow with a droll expression on his features.

“Pet, you can’t be serious. We have centuries on you.”

I rolled my lips inside my mouth. I’d underestimated the situation. Clearing my throat, I clasped my hands in front of me.

“Are you guys going to go after him?” I forced the question out. My throat felt like it was closing.

Asher closed in on me and clasped my chin.

“Relax, no one will go after your brother.” My sight blurred. “No tears.” Asher tsked.

“Why is she leaking from her eyes again?” Ren’s voice bounced off the walls.

“Why?” I repeated. I couldn’t wrap my head around the why.

“She’s touched.” Asher grinned.

“Catalina is of sane mind, there is no need for name-calling,” Tobias said haughtily as he walked in and adjusted his sweater vest.

“Not that type of ‘touched,’ Priest.” I’d never seen Jax smirk without it having a malicious or bitter edge. He seemed different, calmer, relaxed. “You must never mention anything about your brother. Especially about him knowing of vampires. We can be called before a council if anyone discovers we know of an unclaimed human knowing about our existence.”

They weren’t going to hurt me? Or chase Peter down? I expected to be on my knees begging for their mercy. Not whatever this was.

“There’s a council?” It sounded daunting. “I didn’t know you guys had a ruling body.”

“No, no, Pet, vampire Covens are self-ruling. There is only one thing that unites us to seek order: The existence of vampires remaining a secret. Under no circumstances are we allowed to expose ourselves and if there is an accusation, a council is created to vote on the?—”

“Don’t worry yourself with the pesky bureaucracies of vampires, Cat, we will protect you,” Ren said with a grin. Those words comforted me more than I wanted them to.

“Where’s Bastien?” I wove around Jax and Tobias to peek down the hall.

“I locked him in the basement,” Tobias said.

“But why?—”

“I didn’t chain him up, I simply locked the door. Understand, Catalina, no one knows about the state he is in.”

I scowled at him.

“Whatever,” I mumbled. I hated the idea of him alone, but I also understood. Their secrets were theirs, and I couldn’t be spreading them. “Okay, are we doing this?”

“Are you prepared? Do you have any questions?” Asher asked. “Remember, you must behave deferentially.”

“Yes, yes, I got it. I can’t have an opinion and I’m less than you guys, right?” I huffed, crossing my arms.

Asher grimaced.

“Yes,” Ren said, deadpan.

“Moron,” Asher muttered, shaking his head. I rolled my lips between my teeth to stop my laugh.

“Well, I only have to get dressed and put some make-up on and then I’ll be ready.” I started to cross the carpet.

The ache in my stomach abated and pressure expanded. There was a sudden wetness. Did I pee?

Fuck, no I didn’t pee.

It was a very familiar gush.

Tobias, who stood the closest, frowned and he lifted his chin just slightly, and inhaled. Fuck, fuck, fuck, why did he choose now to use his super nose?

“What is that delicious smell?”

A horrifying thought I never thought would ever come became reality. They could smell my period.

This was a sign to make my exit.

“I’ll be right back,” I smiled and inched away slowly, squeezing my thighs together like my life depended on it. Asher stiffened next, his eyes widening. Tobias’s comment had them all inhaling. I gritted my teeth and took another step.

“Cat,” Ren said, his voice almost shaking. Suddenly, he loomed over me.

I screamed and bounced back.

“Stop doing that . . .” I trailed off. Hunger flickered over his features. Oh, fuck. He inhaled audibly. My mouth dried right up. In a flash, he had me on the ground, his large body hovering over me. I clawed my fingernails into the carpet, dragging myself backwards.

“Ren?” I breathed. Red flooded his eyes. His fingers slipped into the band of my clothes, and he yanked. My panties snapped along with the new shorts. The cool air brushed against my pussy. “Ren!” I shouted. His head lowered while simultaneously forcing my legs wide open. My shout turned into a garbled choked gasp. His tongue speared into my channel. “I-I’m bleeding.” His tongue flicked against me again. I whimpered.

They descended upon me like wolves. Appearing with such speed they stole my breath. Asher and Jax ran so fast they collided with a loud thud. Their eyes were full on red. They turned and hissed at each other. Tobias appeared on my other side, and suddenly sank his fangs into my exposed belly.

My shocked inhale dragged the twin’s attention to me, and they stopped their grappling. Soon Jax was hovering over my pussy, shoving his face next to Ren. They jockeyed for space until they both won, remaining between my wide-spread legs. Jax’s tongue joined Ren’s. An orgasm rampaged through my veins. I writhed under their tongues and teeth. Whimpering, whining, crying with each throb. Ren suddenly sank his teeth into my pussy, piercing my clit and the crevice to the side. I stopped breathing, as stars erupted behind my eyelids.

I floated on a cloud. Higher and higher.

Another hand wrapped around my knee, widening my already opened legs.

Asher slid his arm under Jax and slid two fingers inside my pussy, forcing their way into my channel with Ren and Jax’s thrusting tongues. He withdrew them with red staining the tips. He popped them into his mouth. His eyes closed and he hummed.

Another release crashed into me. I sobbed. Moving my head back and forth.

Tobias sank his teeth in again. Suck after suck sent shockwaves of electricity through my clit. My head was beginning to feel light.

Tobias yanked himself away and stilled. He kept his head lowered; eyes squeezed shut. I reached out to touch him, but he was too far. My hand thumped on the ground. He finally raised his head and his eyes were no longer bright red.

“You’re taking too much,” Tobias croaked, yanking at Ren’s shoulder. “You’re going to kill her.”

All three simultaneously ripped their fangs free of my flesh.

I lay weakly, struggling to keep my eyes open.

“We took too much,” Asher whispered. His face blurred.

“Fuck,” Jax added.

Skin pressed against my mouth.

“Swallow, Pet.” Asher sounded painfully gentle. “Come now.”

I swallowed the delicious taste of his blood. Once then twice.

“Tobias, give her your blood.” The arm pulled away from my grip, replaced by another.

“She won’t replenish the blood fast enough.” Horror touched Jax’s voice.

Tobias clasped my jaw and gently pulled away. He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I will return.” With that, he was gone.

Ren pulled me into his arms, cradling me on his lap.

“I prepared in case one of us lost control.” Tobias walked back in and tossed a kit toward Jax. He caught it and tore it open.

Relief flitted over his features.

He was at my side, kneeling. His mouth was red with my blood. If I had any blood in me, I would be blushing right now. I closed my eyes instead. Wanting to escape. I should just float away . . .

“Hold her arm out.” At Jax’s order I peeked through slitted eyes. Ren jostled me on his lap and his large hand wrapped around my wrist, extending my arm. “Hold this up.” Jax tossed Asher a bag with blood. He held it high. A tube was attached to it.

Jax flicked the tip of a needle. His thumb pressed into my inner elbow and he poised the needle. I squeezed my eyes shut, flinching at the pinch.

Asher had said something about Jax having to deal with a lot of medical situations when he was a human.

I stirred.

“Stay still for a while, Kitten,” Jax said gruffly. He chuckled. “Almost drained of blood and she’s scowling at me.”

My mind wandered as the seconds turned to minutes. Between the infusion and them feeding me their blood. My brain started to clear. Like cobwebs slipping away.

“How long will she smell off?”

“You almost drained me and that’s what you’re worried about?” I glared up at Ren. He grinned down at me.

“It isn’t a crime to prefer your scent.”

I scoffed.

“I’m too tired to feel embarrassed about what’s about to come out of my mouth.” Ren raised an eyebrow. I licked my lips, preparing to spit out the rest of the sentence out. “Period blood isn’t the same as the blood that runs in my veins. Why did you guys get all psycho over it?”

Jax opened his mouth and then closed it. He looked dumbfounded. “You’re correct, it is not the same,” Tobias said. I dragged my eyes up to where he hovered nearby, watching the blood drip down the long tube. “It’s you, Love. Your scent. Everything about you.” His nose flared.

“The taste between them is different.” Asher chimed in. He wiggled the blood bag he held up. “Mm, think of something fermented. The taste is different, but still delicious.”

I studied his dazed expression. And if period blood wasn’t the same, then their . . .

“The red in your cum is not the same, right. Because news flash, I’m positive you lot, or most of you,” I side-eyed Tobias, “have had a blow job in the past. So, you’ve been spreading your bonding-juice if it is.” I thinned my lips. I actively worked not to think about things I couldn’t change, namely their sexual past, because it was bound to upset me.

Asher chortled, his head falling back. “Bonding-juice.” He wiped an invisible tear from his eye. “Correct, it’s not the same.”

That was a relief. A cramp seized my stomach, and I grimaced.

“I better not find one of you guys fishing a tampon out of the trash and using it like a damn tea bag,” I mumbled, closing my eyes again.

An infusion, a shower, redoing my routine, and a tampon later, and I was ready to go.

I crossed the foyer to the front door Jax held open for me, my heels clicking against the floor. He met my eyes instead of avoiding them as he usually did.

“You seem too upbeat, are you guys going to sacrifice me?” I muttered. He said nothing but the corner of his lips twitched. I stepped onto the cement front step. The dim front light turned on, illuminating the door.

A crow cawed and flapped its wings, taking off in a flurry of movement.

My gaze focused on the spider web hanging right in front of my nose. I screamed, climbing the closest male to me with a speed I didn’t know I had. The hair on the back of my neck stood.

“You’re pulling my hair,” Jax hissed, hooking his arm under my flailing legs.

“What is it? What is it?” Asher rushed out. “Another body?”

“A spider,” I hissed, my stomach dipped at the reminder of the dead body.

Asher raised an eyebrow at the grip I had in his brother’s hair. “Such a fearful little human. Worry not, you now have five vampires to protect you from any and all dangers.”

I liked the sound of that too much and my body did, too, and it had been liking the safety they’d coated me with. I no longer went out and peeked over my shoulder at every moment like I used to. Even though them owning me was the exact opposite, it was freeing.

My chest heaved, a hint of tightness pressurizing my lungs. The asthma attacks had all but faded after I’d had so much of their blood at Crimson Nights. This was the first it’d shown up since then. I hadn’t missed it.

I cleared my throat. “You can put me down.”

Jax released a huff of air, his sweet breath rustling the fringes of my loose hair. Instead of putting me down, he descended the stairs with my legs swaying. The straight line of his jaw hovered near my face and the column of his throat looked smooth to the touch. He’d been sweet to me before he thought I betrayed them. All I’d been getting from him was glib comments and attitude until recently. I didn’t trust this. He maneuvered me at an angle to avoid the roses and thorns entwined with the gate.

He stopped at the base. The moon cast a glow over the lonely street.

Lights twinkled far off, closer to the city.

“What are we waiting for?”

“Ren is bringing the SUV around.”

“Where do you guys park all the cars?” I’d seen about four different cars.

“There’s a garage connected to the back of the house.”

I’d assumed something of the sort unless they could conjure cars out of thin air with magic.

“Do you guys use magic?” I blinked up at him. He wasn’t the most verbal with me, maybe I should ask Asher or Tobias?—

“No, vampires do not use magic.”

“Are you laughing at me?” I scowled. “It’s not a stupid question, you guys are able to compel and read minds.”

“Reading minds is only Tobias.”

“Oh . . . right.”

“It’s his ability, Asher’s is invisibility?—”

“I didn’t stop to think that you all have something different.” Mostly because I hadn’t had the chance to consider vampire abilities with everything going on. “What’s yours?”

He suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Ren’s pulling up.”

At least he didn’t straight out tell me to mind my own business. I caught a peek at Asher over his shoulder. He’d been hovering behind us the entire time, but he was quiet and grinning like a madman. Jax jostled me into one arm and pulled the back door open. He settled me on the seat, the leather creaking under my weight.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I asked, squinting up at him.

Asher’s arm curled around my hip, and he scooted me close to him toward the other side of the cushion. Jax settled inside and closed the door. I was smushed between the twins again.

“He’s done fighting his desire for you. You forget, Pet, he believes his loyalty should be to Imogen. He’s been fighting that side of himself.” Asher didn’t bother lowering his voice. I rounded to look at Jax, waiting for his explosion at the mention of her . Except . . . he didn’t.

“I’m not here to fight a memory. That’s losing a battle,” I said it loudly and lifted my chin, eyeing him warningly.

“No one is asking you to compete with anything.” Jax’s response floored me. And left me speechless.

“When we get to Calliope’s event,” Asher murmured near my ear. “I need you to have patience.”

“That’s not suspicious at all.” A long sigh exploded from his lips.

“Trust us.”

“Fine.” I peeked at Jax. “But that one, no, I’m not trusting him.”

Jax flinched, and I was not a bit remorseful.