Chapter 7 #3
I had no idea how to reply, but Bal released my wrist and turned his head.
“Answer him,” he commanded quietly, his intense eyes on mine.
But I had no idea how to do that. My tongue tied at the fear of him laughing in my face.
I tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold on my wrist and, to my utter mortification, buried his nose in the juncture between my legs and inhaled deeply through the material of my leggings.
“Oh, my gods.” I released a shaky breath, totally unsure what to do when he growled, the sound rumbling up from his chest. He twisted and looked up at Shane.
“She definitely likes the view.” Bal’s eyes raked down Shane's naked torso, snagging on the large erection, which stood proud and pulsing, thrusting forward. “So do I. But right now, I need sleep.” He pulled my wrist back towards him. And even though I braced myself for a second sting, it didn’t come.
Instead, he gently licked my skin, laving it with his soft tongue, sending shivers of pleasure skittering down my spine.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the erotic sight.
“There.” He smiled, and the world stopped.
I was struck dumb by the utter perfection of his face.
All I could do was watch as he pushed his big body into a kneeling position in front of me and then leaned in.
Emotions and questions stormed around my head, but his next words totally blindsided me.
“Thank you for your gift, Sorcha,” he murmured and leaned forward to kiss my forehead.
I couldn’t do anything but watch as he climbed to his feet and turned to face Shane, leaving me gaping up at the two magnificent males who filled my vision.
They were evenly matched in height, but for the first time, they were also matched in bulk.
I had no idea which of them would be more heavily muscled when they were at full strength, but something told me it would be Shane.
Not that Bal was slim. He was just honed and more refined.
Shane’s wolf was still a part of him, and I could almost feel its strength and brutality simmering under his skin.
They faced off at each other until Bal shook his head and gave a little huff. “I’m too tired to fight you, Shane. So get back in that bed. You need more rest before the lust is back on you. And so do I.”
He looked at me again, and as one, they both reached down a hand and firmly but carefully pulled me to my feet. “T-thank you,” I stammered, overwhelmed now at their unabashed nudity and the feelings that had started simmering inside me.
Bal brushed some hair back from my face. “Do you feel okay? Any dizziness?” he asked softly, searching my face as if looking for clues.
I shook my head.
He nodded and stepped back. “Good. Go and get some food and drink, Sorcha, then go to bed and rest. I took a lot of blood from you.”
“What about you? If you have to give more to Shane, it will leave you weak…”
He made a dismissive gesture that had me turning cold inside once again. Had I just imagined his tender touches and concern?
“I am no longer weak, and Davlov will see to my blood needs. I will not need your blood again tonight.”
Hurt pierced me. Of course, he wouldn’t.
Davlov would always feed his master. The only reason he’d used me was because Shane wouldn't let Davlov close enough to do it. I turned away before my hurt showed. I was suddenly exhausted, and moving sent a wave of dizziness through me. There was no way I’d show these powerful supernaturals any weakness, though.
So I fortified my knees and back and walked towards the door.
As I pulled it open, I looked back at Shane. He was watching me with a frown.
“I’m glad you’re okay, Shane.” I glanced back at the bathroom door where the Count had disappeared. “Do whatever you need to do to get through this, won’t you?”
He nodded, his face grim, then his eyes narrowed. “Will you be here when I’m safe to be around again?”
Would I? For a moment, I’d felt respected and appreciated. Now, all I felt was tired and empty, but the flash of apprehension in Shane’s gaze made up my mind. What he was going through was far worse than my moments of shame. I nodded. “I will.”
He strode towards me and pulled me into his arms, holding me close.
It didn’t even feel awkward, pulled up against his naked body; it felt right.
Safe, even. Tears burned my eyes as I tentatively wrapped my hands around his waist and lay my cheek on his chest. I didn’t remember anyone ever holding me like this.
No sexual undertone, just comfort. For us both.
We stood clinging to each other, neither of us with any apparent desire to move, until Shane sighed and kissed the top of my head. “You need to rest, Sor.” His words teased strands of my hair before he pulled back.
“I already said that,” quipped a deep voice.
I went to pull away, but Shane held me loosely in his arms.
Leaning against the door frame, Balthazar studied us, a darkness in his eyes I didn’t understand. I had no idea what his thoughts were, not when his face was so blank. I pushed against Shane’s hold and, thankfully, he let me go without a fight.
“See you later, Shane.” I turned and left, walking out through the door. I had no energy left to deal with more humiliation. A soft breeze caressed me, and I walked directly into a hard chest.
“No, see you later for me, Sor?” Bal’s fingers dug into the soft skin of my arms, but they didn’t hurt me, more stopping me from falling backwards in shock.
I gulped. Then found my backbone. I’d vowed not to be treated like dirt ever again, not by him or any other vampire. “No, Count. I have no desire to see you later.”
Something like surprise flashed in his eyes.
I didn’t care if my courage had shocked him. I was too raw. I yanked my arms from his grasp. Even as his face registered his confusion, he didn’t grab me again.
“So be it.” His voice was utterly cold now. “I’ll make sure you’re informed when Shane is fully through bloodlust, but he will still be volatile, so you will need to stay away from him until I tell you it is safe.”
“He won’t hurt me.”
Balthazar lifted one elegant brow. “Really? Regardless of how he held you just then, he is a fledgling vampire, and you saw what happened to me. His wolf side means he needs more feeding and fucking than any other person I’ve ever seen through the change.
It’s not safe for you to be alone with him.
In fact, avoid this wing until I tell you he has fully turned.
It’s also important that you don’t speak of him taking my blood, not to anyone. Do you understand?”
“Fine!” I snapped, irritated that he thought Shane would hurt me, and that he was telling me in not-so-many words that neither of them would feed from me again, that they wouldn’t need me. I huffed and began walking away.
“Sorcha, I’m serious. He’s not done with his bloodlust yet, and he will try to feed from you if you are near.
You are human and therefore vulnerable, especially as his wolf already wants you.
He thinks you’re...his.” He almost growled the word.
“And he will take what he wants. Shane can’t control the beast inside him, not yet.
He might not want to hurt you, but hunger and lust will continue to hit him, and they will steal his compassion and kindness.
” He stepped closer and grasped my upper arms again, firmly, but still not enough to hurt.
“He’s already pushed my boundaries, and it has taken all of my strength to control him so far. ”
I swallowed hard. For the first time in my life, I considered defying someone more powerful than me. Shane was my friend...possibly more.
Balthazar’s eyes narrowed. He released one arm and carefully brushed some hair behind my ear, searching my eyes. I lowered my gaze, not willing to antagonise the ancient vampire.
“Do you understand, sweet girl? He will harm you, even if he doesn’t want to. He will not be able to help himself.”
I nodded. “I understand. I just…” To my shame, I felt emotion clog my throat. I risked a peek into his eyes. As always, once I did, I couldn’t look away. His expression softened, and gentle fingers brushed down my cheek.
“I know. You miss his company. You want him.”
I nodded, not looking away even when my cheeks flushed. “I do.”
“It won’t be forever, Sorcha. He’ll be back with you soon. And once he’s fully turned, I’ll take you both to the Gambit. He will need to learn control, and the only way to do that is to put him in a room with temptations and force him to resist.”
“That sounds a bit crude. Isn’t there a better way? One that won’t put him and other people at risk? He’d hate to lose control and hurt someone innocent.”
Bal’s smile almost looked regretful, along with a shadow in his eyes that even he couldn't hide. “There are very few innocent people in my club, Sorcha. But, regardless, there is no other way. He will learn control; it’s the only option.”
My blood ran cold. “What happens if he doesn’t?
” My fingers curled onto his forearms, enjoying the feel of his skin under my fingers, even as his corded muscles tensed.
He leaned down and dropped a kiss on the top of my head.
It surprised me so much I forgot to speak when he turned away.
I couldn’t see his face when he answered my question.
“Let’s hope that he does.” He turned to the shadows of the old castle corridor. “Davlov? I need to feed once I have rested. I’ll inform you when I am ready.”
Clearly dismissed, I hurried away, not stopping until I’d run down the grand staircase and outside, slamming the front door behind me.
I gulped in lungfuls of pine-laced air. The scent of the outdoors always calmed me, and nature even more so.
Determined to keep my promise to Shane to be here when he conquered his lust, I pushed my confused feelings about what had just happened between the three of us deep down.
I strode out across the castle grounds, needing space from thoughts of what Shane and Bal were doing together.
I decided to head to the estate boundaries and the distant lake that I could see from my window.
It was my favourite place to sit and just be alone.
Maybe the cool highland air and physical exercise would ease the desire burning through my veins.