Chapter Nineteen
“Ah, Anima Mia. You are in so much fucking trouble. Dare I say, I’m angrier than I have ever been in my very long life?” Scepter asked, the muscle in his jaw bunching and un-bunching.
“Now, before you give yourself a vampire equivalent of a heart attack, I would like to point out I had the situation totally under control,” Starla said.
“Oh, did you now?” he asked.
Starla jerked her head up and down, biting her lip. “Absolutely.”
Scepter closed his eyes and counted to ten. When that didn’t calm him down, he did it again. “He could’ve killed you in five seconds or less, Starla.”
“How? He obviously tried with his glowing sword. Look how well that worked.” She brushed her hand down her abdomen, showing the untouched lace front.
His eyes took in her attire. A black lace corset that framed her breasts with skin-toned mesh all the way up to her neck, where more of the black lace went around her throat like a collar.
The design extended down her arms and legs, with a skirt-like tail along the back that resembled a few layers of tulle and lace, while the corset bodysuit hugged her curves like a second skin.
Where the lace covered the important parts, the mesh was skin-toned, giving the illusion of transparency.
His cock was so fucking hard, he was surprised he could control himself from fucking her where they stood.
Scepter puffed out a breath. “We’ll talk about your transgression when we get home. I need to get Savage to handle this.”
“Why can’t you?” she asked.
“Because he’s got the entire club warded with his signature.
It’s a matter of respect.” He sent a call to Savage, needing the male to create a bubble around his twin and Astaroth and to sanction the death of the other vampire.
If he didn’t, Severin would still kill the male, but there would be issues Scepter would have to deal with.
The familiar static washed over him. He gave his brother a slight nod, indicating the path was clear for him.
Savage appeared next to him. Time froze around them.
“Aurora would like her sister to sit with her upstairs,” Savage said.
Scepter looked at Starla. “Would you go sit with your sister, Anima Mia?” he asked, working to keep the impotent rage from his tone.
“I’ll do as you ask because I’m understanding like that.
And in turn, you calm your jets and promise me you won’t demand we leave immediately after you finish your business.
I really want to stay and enjoy a dance or two with you on Valentine's Day. I know you’re upset.
We can discuss your reasoning later.” She stood on her toes, kissed his lips, then flashed away.
He wiped his thumb across his mouth, staring up at the railing where the two women stood. “She’s going to be the death of me.”
Savage slapped him on the back. “Welcome to the what the fuck did we do club, brother. Now, let’s take this shit show to a more private arena.”
Scepter linked with Severin, giving him a heads up that they were about to be transported to another venue by Savage. Severin’s quick inhale and Astaroth’s yelp were the only sounds before they all reappeared inside the large room used mainly for executions.
Astaroth pivoted, his arms lifting out to his sides in a gesture of supplication. “Savage, what is the meaning of this?” You know we are allies. Release me now and—”
Savage silenced Astaroth with a snap of his fingers, creating a seal over the vampire's mouth made of thick silver thread. The stench of burning flesh filled the air around his lips. The older the vamp, the more extreme the reaction to silver. Vampires couldn’t tolerate silver, the same as shifters, but newly turned vamps could tolerate exposure to silver for short periods, while older ones, as well as truebloods, didn’t do so well.
“The time for your talking is over, Astaroth. I believe Scepter’s twin is here to deliver justice for your crimes against their family and his bonded mate. Severin, do you want to hear him speak, or his cries of pain before you end his pathetic excuse of life?”
Scepter stood next to his best friend, surprised he was giving Severin the choice.
Severin walked closer to Astaroth. “You deserve no mercy, un parassita. I’ve thought of the ways I’d end you.
Now, looking at the waste of space you are, I realize the best thing I can do is send you straight to Hell.
” Severin flashed in front of Astaroth, placed his hands on the sides of the other male's head, and twisted, taking his head off as easily as if he were ripping one off a toy.
“Would you like me to burn the rest for you?” Savage asked.
Severin’s eyes glowed as he incinerated the head in his hand, then tossed the burning ball on top of what he’d left of Astaroth.
“Ack, I will never get used to the stench of burning vamp,” Scepter muttered.
Savage waved his hand, erasing all scent from the space. He smirked at Scepter. “Next time, tell your brother to give us a warning before lighting shit up.”
He flipped Savage the middle finger. “Severin, what’re your plans? You’re welcome to stay at my place if you’d like.”
His twin shook his head. “You’re newly bonded. You and your female need to spend time solidifying the bond between you. The last thing you need is me hanging around putting a damper on your honeymoon phase.”
“You’re welcome to stay with my mate and me. Scepter has a room there, as do several members of the clan. Trust me, you won’t find it overcrowded in the least. As Scepter’s brother, you’ll find the others more than willing to welcome you.”
“Why does that sound like an order?” Severin asked.
Savage tilted his head to the side. “I wouldn’t say order, but strongly suggest you stick around.
I think you and your brother have some things to iron out.
Plus, you’ve only just arrived here on our territory.
Don’t you think it would be nice for a proper reunion?
You know. One where you’re not ripping heads off of enemies. ”
“Savage, I will vouch for my brother.” Scepter placed himself between the two males.
“I’m aware, Scepter. Your loyalty has never been in question. Go be with Starla. I promise your brother isn’t in any danger here...unless he is a danger to one of ours.”
Severin smiled. “If I were going to harm any of you, I’d have already done it, Savage. I’ve been here for over a week. I’ve been in this club for days. None of your people scented me.”
Scepter knew what his brother was going to do. Their twin bond he’d cut off centuries ago, reformed when he and Severin opened their minds to one another again. “Sev, don’t. Trust me, we’re family.”
“Brother, we will see one another again.” Severin touched two fingers to his temple and flashed away.
“He’s as big a shithead as you are. This place is warded against that kind of shit unless I’ve allowed it. I have his signature, Scepter. He won’t be able to come and go without detection again. Let him know that.” Savage disappeared, leaving Scepter to follow.
Godsven cleared his throat.
“What’s your take?” Scepter asked him.
“Savage isn’t angry at you or your twin, which by the way, is a shocker since I didn’t know you had a freaking identical-looking bro. How’d you hide that from us?”
Scepter didn’t detect anger in the other male’s tone.
“We’ve been estranged for over four centuries due to a family squabble.
Suffice it to say, I left our home country and found a place with Savage as his second.
Once I forged a bond with him, I didn’t feel the sickness that many twins suffer when the bond we share gets broken. ”
“Ah, good thing you found Savage,” Godsven said. “You'd better go find your female. She looked pissed earlier. Sexy but pissed.”
“Sven, if you want to keep those eyes in their sockets, you probably shouldn’t mention you looked at my female,” he said, low and calm in a voice promising harm.
To Scepter’s shock, Godsven lifted his arms in the air. The other male wasn’t in the habit of giving any sign of surrender.
“I gotta go. Thanks for keeping an eye on Starla until I got back.” He’d known his clan would watch over Starla while she’d been at the club.
Although Astaroth got too close to Starla for his liking, he didn’t doubt one of his clan would’ve gotten to her if he hadn’t.
Of course, from what he’d seen, Starla didn’t need anyone to save her. Fuck. He needed to get to his female.
Flashing to where he sensed Starla, he materialized behind her. He laced his hands around her waist. Hell, every atom in his body relaxed when he had her surrounded by him.
“You scared the piss out of me,” he murmured.
Across from them stood a mirror, allowing him to see her beautiful eyes glittering with amusement. “Do you need me to kiss your dick and make it feel better?”
Scepter’s diabolical mind came up with all kinds of things he’d like to make her do. Kissing his dick was high on that list. “I’ll take you up on that offer later, Vita Mia. Didn’t you say you wanted to dance before we left? Unless, of course, you want to dance naked on my cock?”
“Can you not talk like that in front of me? I’m trying to pretend that she’s still—you know,” Aurora sputtered and waved her hand in the air.
“Ah, my beautiful love requires space, I think. Why don’t you two go down and do your dancing with clothes while I entertain Aurora up here?” Savage spoke in a dry tone.
Scepter didn’t say another word. He spun Starla in his arms, then floated them down to the dance floor. A large space cleared for them with the help of a bit of magic. Starla looked at him with a shy smile, completely at odds with the female who’d just offered to kiss his dick.
“I can honestly tell you I’ve never wanted to dance with a female as much as I want to with you. Now, while we dance, why don’t you tell me about this amazing piece of art you’re wearing?” he said breathlessly.
She placed her hands on his chest, brushing her hips against his.
“Well, I thought it would be wise to create an outfit that I could move in but was also sexy, which is why I went with these tights and the corset bodysuit. Adding the tail to the back made me feel better walking around without thinking everyone is staring at my ass. This lace?” She ran the tips of her fingers from her throat down between her breasts.
His cock jerked between them. “It’s a good thing you thought of protecting the males in the club. If I’d have seen any visions of men enjoying the view of your ass, I’d have had to blind them.”
She tossed her head back, laughter flowing from him easily.
“I see and hear the truth from your soul when you say those things. It should make me freaked out, but weirdly enough, I only feel excited. Does that make me ruthless?” she asked, licking her lips.
“Why were you not scared of Astaroth? He could’ve ripped your throat out.” Remembering how close she’d been to the other vamp sent chills down his spine.
Her hand moved back up to her throat. “This fabric came from the Fey Realm. You wanna try to bite me?” Starla tilted her neck to the side.