Part 3 (1/2)

”Wake up, love. Time for you to feed.”

Her eyelids felt so heavy, she didn't want to open them. She felt strange, and starving. Her stomach cramped and rolled, and she moaned.

”I know, it all feels like you've been at sea for three months and starving the whole time. I can't tell you how many times I felt like that back when I was human.”

”How long ago was that?” She really hardly knew this man who stood before her, dressing in jeans, sneakers and a white T-s.h.i.+rt. In one way, he looked like any other man, but there in the doorway of the small enclosure, he also looked very much a vampire. Moonlight filtered in around his figure and Yvette marveled at his perfect physique.

Oh yes, perfect.

”I've been vampire since Elizabeth ruled England. She was my queen and I was one of her privateers. I sailed the seas in her name.”

”Jesus, that is like four hundred years ago.” Why did she feel like a truck ran over her?

She reached for her side, suddenly remembering the attack. But instead of finding an open wound or even st.i.tches, she felt only smooth flesh.

Then she became aware of her nakedness. She scooted the sheet about her and shot him a questioning glance. ”How is this possible?” In her heart, she thought she knew what happened, and almost hated to hear the answer.

”I couldn't let you die, love.”

”He saved you, Mistress,” piped in Claude as he jumped onto the bed.

”But I had no choice in this,” she reasoned with her pet.

”You know, I could swear I heard that cat talk.”

”Claude? He's my pet, my companion and my spirit guide.”

”But...I heard him. I mean, I hear your thoughts along with those of others with whom I've bonded, but the cat?”

”Sir, I am no ordinary cat. I am of royal blood, and I've been blessed by the G.o.ddess Bast herself. There are several of us feline spirit guides in existence.”

”You know what, cat, you're a c.o.c.ky little puss, but I like you.” Humor touched Raife's voice as he leaned down to stroke the cat's black coat.

”Glad to be appreciated,” Claude purred.

”But now I'm...a vampire.” Yvette could hardly believe the turn of events. The choice had been made for her just as the Voodoo Queen predicted.

”I'm sorry, love. I couldn't let you die after finding you.” Raife knelt and cupped her face in one of his hands. ”You're my mate. I would've gone insane without you.”

He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. All of her doubts and anger fled as this incredible being kissed her with the tenderness of a man in love. A cramp clinched her stomach, and she moaned into his kiss.

”You hunger. Feed from me,” he whispered against her lips.

Desire coursed through her at the thought of tasting him. She vaguely remembered earlier in the day when she had feasted upon his c.o.c.k, how it helped her magic recover along with her body's weakness.

She also remembered feasting upon his blood, and the ecstasy it had awakened within her soul.

Her lips pressed to his skin, and she grew aware of the life fluid flowing beneath. She darted out her tongue, ran it along the vein in his neck, and she relished the salty taste. Her mouth ached, and she felt her teeth lengthen into fangs. Saliva filled her mouth in antic.i.p.ation of the coming meal.

Then, she opened her mouth and followed her instincts. She sank her teeth into Raife's flesh. Blood exploded across her tongue, tangy and addicting. She swallowed and filled her stomach, his rich blood satisfying her hunger. Still, she wanted more.

He groaned and threaded his fingers through her thick hair, clutching her closer to his body, more roughly. ”Yvette, love,” he pleaded in a barely controlled voice.

At lightening speed, her fingers worked at the fly of his jeans. After unzipping the material, she pulled out his hard c.o.c.k and rejoiced at its magnificent size, the hot steel with a satin skin covering, her ideal.

His hands ripped away the thin sheet separating his body from hers. He disposed of his jeans and entered her tight, wet sheath. She screamed as he filled her core to the hilt, breaking her hold upon his neck.

”No, love. More,” he gasped, rapidly pumping in and out of her body.

She kissed his neck where the open wound still bled, and licked away the trickling blood. Latching her lips around the puncture, she sucked at the vein. With each thrust, she swallowed the hot salty fluid. Lord, if every meal would be so intensely erotic, she wouldn't mind being a vampire.

”You shall feed only from me, love. No other. You're mine.”

”Raife, please, fill me,” she begged inside her thoughts.

In answer, he released any remains on his control and spilled his seed into her womb. Yvette felt her magic empower and pump through her. The euphoric high of e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.e within her always made her feel alive, invincible. With Raife as her lover, the effect seemed more intense. She had been drained of magic when the attacker struck, but now, she collected her price to the G.o.ddesses. She had drunk of Raife earlier in the day, and still felt the power from the seed he gave so willingly.

Yvette climaxed with him, squeezing his p.e.n.i.s in convulsive clinches, riding the waves of pa.s.sion they had built together. She was in heaven and totally charged.

Moments ticked by, and Raife slid from her center and lay next to her. Moonlight filtered in through the open doorway, and she could see into the night better than she had ever dreamed.

”Isn't it dangerous to leave the door open that way?” she asked in a dreamy voice.

”Humans hunt the unsuspecting vampires during the day, but they stay away at night, knowing the price for wandering here.” He paused and looked at her with confusion in his blue eyes.

”What is it?”

”Your skin, it's glowing.”

She giggled. ”Oh yes, the magic.” She told Raife of her payment to the G.o.ddesses for their help and guidance in her magic. ”When I have an o.r.g.a.s.m, I recharge my powers. But when I take in the s.e.m.e.n of a man, it is more powerful than with my o.r.g.a.s.m alone.”

”I guess that explains why you were calling for a lover last night.”

”The seed from the man who is my destiny is the ultimate tribute.” She ran a finger across his jaw and added in a low voice, ”I've longed for love for so long, I was afraid no one would ever answer the call. I'm happy it was you, my pirate-vampire lover.”

She pressed her lips to his in a tender kiss.

”Good grief, is this going to take all night? I've had to listen to you two panting and petting, and I need to be fed.” ”Can't you go catch a mouse or something?” Raife asked as he stood up and pulled on his jeans.

”Catch a mouse? Are you insane? Need I remind you, I am of royal blood?” The cat's tone sounded haughty, even to Yvette. Of course, this was nothing new for Claude.

”We'll go to the shop and get your cat food, okay?”

Claude actually sighed into her thoughts. ”I guess so. Once we get there, you can feed me, then return to your mating dance. Right now, I'm starved.”

Raife watched the furry animal pad out of the tomb. ”I can't believe I have to reason with that hair ball. Royal blood, my a.s.s.”

”He really is a n.o.ble cat, and very devoted. He's been there for me in all my forms.” She pushed back the covers and slowly stood on shaky legs.