Sacred Talisman Read online

  He walked straight to the door, ignoring the line snaking down the street. A large man dressed as Batman stepped in front of him, the man’s chiselled forearm blocking the entrance. He mumbled something lost to the beat of the music and motioned towards the end of the line. Rafe tamped down the need to crush the guy, baring his teeth as his human form faded, morphing into the beast-like features of the creature lurking inside him. The man’s face paled as a shudder quivered through him. Rafe trailed his tongue along the two sharp points filling his mouth and nodded towards the door. A garbled whimper was his only reply as he opened the door and walked inside.

  “Rafe. Stop.” Terryn pulled against his hold again. “Do you know what kind of bar this is?“

  He turned to face her, his hand curling around her waist. “I’ve got a pretty good idea,” he said, holding back a curse when two guys knocked his back as they strutted past. “Just stay close and keep your body plastered to mine. We need to find a couple of empty seats.”

  “What we need is for you to explain what the hell we’re doing in here.”

  “Just stay close,” he repeated. “There’s usually a few available at the back.”

  Fear and curiosity flared in her eyes before she gave him a curt nod, following him through the throng of people wedged inside the bar, her hip never leaving his. The sharp smell of sweat and lust assaulted his senses, lingering with the heady scent of sex. He passed the hallway he knew led to the private rooms and claimed two stools in the far corner. He motioned to Terryn, watching as she scanned the room once before settling on the seat. He slid in beside her, folding his hands on the bar.

  “So you’ve been here before?” she asked.

  “A few times.”

  He nodded at the bartender, tossing some money at the man, before locking his eyes on hers again. She was watching him, trying to picture what he looked like naked. He smiled, loving how a light flush laced her cheeks and down her neck when she realised he’d deciphered her thoughts.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” she mumbled, staring at her hands.

  “As long as you make me one promise.”

  She met his gaze, not hiding the effort it took. “What’s that?”

  “To keep an open mind.”

  She snorted in a typically feminine way that made his cock peak against his jeans. Damn if she wasn’t a tempting little witch he’d enjoy taming.

  “Fine. I’ll keep my mind completely open. So start talking.”

  Rafe nodded, pausing just long enough to probe the bar, ensuring they were still alone. They had time, though how much was yet to be determined. He met Terryn’s gaze, smiling at the way she worried her bottom lip between her teeth. It was full and a deep shade of pink. He wondered if her nipples matched them or if her pussy turned the same colour as arousal flooded it, engorging the lips until they parted in anticipation.

  He forced the images aside, hoping his cock didn’t burst the seam of his pants. After a century of sleep, it seemed determined to make its presence known. He pointed at her necklace. “We’ll start with something simple. That pretty little pendant dangling against your neck is much more than just a piece of spun glass. It’s an ancient talisman, crafted four thousand years ago, when the first of my kind walked the earth. The fluid inside is the very blood of the earliest lineage of my clan, and it holds more power than this world has seen in hundreds of centuries.”

  Terryn held up her hand, halting him. “The blood of your people?” She shook her head. “What are you trying to tell me? What are you?”

  “We’re known by many names, but you would call me a vampire.”

  Terryn’s face paled and her eyes widened. Rafe dug into her thoughts, smiling at the images in her mind. Either she was into bondage more than he’d ever imagined, or she was picturing him strapped in a straight jacket.

  “I’m not insane, nor am I lying. So get that straight jacket right out of your head. There’s more and we don’t have much time.”

  If possible her cheeks paled further, but she gave him a guarded nod.

  “Good. Now listen carefully. Several of these talisman were created, each one unique. No one knows for certain why, but shortly after their creation, they were buried in a secret tomb. Five hundred years ago, the tomb was opened, and the pendants scattered across the earth. As a result, the remaining kin created creatures called Enforcers—vampires whose sole purpose was to find and guard each talisman until the power within was no longer a threat.” Rafe reached over and caressed the skin just below the vial. “I’ve been searching for you…for this,” he said, grazing his fingers over the smooth glass, closing his eyes against the rush of energy as the pendant glowed first purple, then black, “for centuries.”

  Chapter Two

  Terryn stared at Rafe, heart pounding, fear making her head spin. He was claiming to be a vampire. A vampire! Sure he was hot, with pale skin and a dark, dangerous voice, but he hardly resembled any of the vampires she’d seen on TV. Hell, with blond hair, blue eyes and a body to drool over, he looked more like a model than a blood-sucking bat.

  She drew a deep breath, trying to still the tremors in her hands. The fact that he’d saved her from the creepy guy in the alley was enough to assure her he had no intentions of hurting her. But his claims left her questioning his sanity. How the hell had he tossed the creepy guy across the alley with only one hand, and how had he known she was picturing him tied up in a straight jacket?

  She blew out her breath on a long sigh and met his gaze. His eyes were tinged red again, adding authenticity to his claim. He leant forward, a small smile revealing a set of white fangs, larger than life and just as convincing. Terryn pulled back, not sure what to say when a man stalked up beside them, placing his hand on the bar between them.

  “You look like you need some company, sugar.”

  She pulled her lips tight just as Rafe grabbed the man’s arm and pushed him back.

  “Fuck off. The lady already has all the company she needs.”

  The guy glared, rubbing his arm. “Nice try, Rafe. But you’ve been in here a thousand times and never played with any of the ladies. So why don’t you just go back to watching and let me show this pretty little thing what a real man can do for her.”

  Before the guy could smirk Rafe was in front of him, the guy’s shirt fisted, his feet barely touching the floor. “I’m only going to say this one more time. Fuck off.”

  “Fine. She’s yours. Relax, buddy.”

  A low rumble vibrated the air before Rafe lowered the guy and shoved him back. “Now piss off.”

  Terryn panicked. The feral look in Rafe’s eyes, the dark energy that rolled off his skin in visible waves overwhelmed her desire and she took off running. A hallway only a few steps away marked salvation. She darted down it, a harsh growl shadowing her footsteps as she tumbled against the first door, shouldering it open and slamming it shut behind her. A loud click echoed through the room as she backed away, not sure how she’d locked it, but aware she’d succeeded in sealing her escape. She released her breath in an audible rasp, crossing her arms on her chest as she stared at the door, waiting.

  “If this is your idea of keeping an open mind, I’m afraid we’re at an impasse.”

  Terryn shrieked, pivoting towards the voice behind her, losing her balance when Rafe stepped forward. His fingers gripped her arm, preventing her from crashing to the floor as she stared at him, mouth gaped open, breath stalled in her chest. “But…the door…how?”

  Words collided in her head, a surge of fear dipping the room. Rafe’s chest connected with her cheek as he pulled her against him, cradling the back of her head with one hand as the other snaked around her waist.

  “Breathing might help,” he said.

  She took his advice, noting how his equally hard cock pressed against her stomach as her chest pushed into his. “Oh. My. God.” It was little more than a whisper, but it sounded loud in the stillness.

  “I’ve been called many things, but God
isn’t one of them.” His smile greeted her as he pulled back. “And before you ask, no, I can’t fly. Not in the sense you’re thinking. It’s more of a shift through time. But it’s equally effective.”

  She could only nod, her throat too dry to speak. He was a vampire—a blood and flesh vampire. The undead. She let her head fall back, intending to close her eyes, but what greeted her stopped her cold. Three large mirrors decorated the ceiling, casting a clear reflection of the room. A large bed she hadn’t noticed took up most of the space, with only a chair visible in another corner. But it was her image that shocked her, because it was just that—her image. Just her. Her arms curled around an invisible force, her chest pressed against nothing, as her hair swayed across her shoulder, the result of Rafe’s hand stroking the length. He sighed as her gaze met his.

  “Convinced?”

  “Yes,” was all she managed when he released her, cursing as he surveyed the room.

  “Of all the places you could’ve run, sweet thing, this was by far your worst choice.” He moved to the door—or did he just appear at it—and tried the handle. “Fuck.” He turned to face her. “Do you know why the door locks behind you?”

  She glanced at it, shaking her head.

  “Because it prevents the clients from leaving until they’ve given the owner a good show.”

  She stared at him, completely confused, before following his gaze towards the bed. What she hadn’t noticed in the reflection was the set of restraints chained to the headboard, the shinny leather dark against the white frame. She looked back at Rafe.

  “That’s right. It’s a sex room. This one tends towards bondage, though I don’t think it’s a requirement.” His lips kicked up into a sly grin. “There are cameras mounted throughout the room, just in case you were thinking we could sneak out.”

  “So the only way to get the door unlocked is…”

  “To fuck,” he finished.

  Terryn was sure her mouth dropped open as she focused on the restraints. The leather was black and smooth, and she had a fleeting image of it wrapped around her wrists, her naked body splayed out across the bed. She could see her hair tussled across her shoulder, her back flexing in pleasure as Rafe mounted her from behind, his shaft piercing her wet flesh as the muscles in her ass jumped from the impact of his groin against hers.

  A soft moan trembled across her lips and she dipped her tongue out to moisten them. She went to turn when Rafe pressed his body against her back, his hands capturing her waist.

  “I can see your thoughts. The way you imagine your body moving beneath mine, your hands bound in front of you. It’s not the first time you wondered about how it’d be between us. How well I could pleasure you. You can try and fight it, but in the end, our mating has already been foretold.”

  She tried to shake her head, but the images returned. Rafe driving into her, one hand stroking the tiny knot of nerves in her slit as the other spanked her ass until it turned a deep shade of red. She tried to free herself, but could only take what he gave her, the bands around her wrists and feet immobilising her.

  Terryn squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to drive the erotic pictures from her head, as Rafe’s warm breath feathered across her nape, dampening her panties with her slick dew. Her head lolled to one side, loving the feel of his lips across her skin, his tongue hot against her neck. Again she felt like he was tasting her, gathering her essence on his tongue so he could identify each individual element that mixed together to form her unique feminine scent. A calm settled inside as the pendant grew warm on her skin, matching the heated feel of Rafe’s tongue. She leaned into him, one word whispering from her lips.

  “Yes.”

  Rafe groaned into her ear, feeling her body melt against his. Desire pounded through him, and for a moment, it felt as if his heart thundered in his chest. He drew a deep breath, drinking in the faint aroma of rain on her skin, mixed in with a soft floral scent. But both paled next to the sweet, earthy tang of her arousal. It hung in the air like a fine mist, drenching his senses until her flavour was etched into his memory. He closed his eyes, willing the beast within him to stand down. Ever since the first pulse of energy had doused his skin, he’d felt submersed in a red haze of desire. Every moment her body trembled against his seemed like an eternity of waiting until the instant he could strip her down and feel the soft press of skin on skin.

  Centuries had passed without this type of wanting. Hell, he’d never desired a woman with such single-minded intent. He’d had his share of lovers, but it’d always seemed hollow, desolate, like he was trying to fill a vessel full of holes.

  Not Terryn. Everything about her healed the spaces in his withered heart, bringing back a sense of humanity he’d lost on the eve of his death. One he’d never expected to feel again, especially from a woman brimming with innocence. The very scent of her skin enthralled him, drawing him into a mindless craze, begging him to bind her soul to his.

  He clenched his jaw, inching one hand up to cup her breast. It swelled at his touch, the nipple pebbled against the thin lace of her bra. He could picture it clearly in his mind, and knew the tip would turn a pale shade of purple as she neared her climax. A low gasp filled his head as he tweaked the small bud between his fingers.

  He growled, spinning her in his arms, pushing the wet jacket from her shoulders, smiling at the sound of if dropping on the floor. Her shirt went next, followed by her pants. She stared at him in shocked surprise as the last of her clothes joined the others, and she stood before him perfectly naked.

  Rafe pulled her body against his, fisting her hair as he tilted her head back, exposing the sleek line of her neck. The pendant pulsed against her skin, the purple hue reflecting along her throat. He watched the quick flutter of her heartbeat throb below her skin, the rhythmic movement making his head spin. His conscience warned him this wasn’t to place to indulge in even a fleeting taste of her blood, consent or not, and he reined in the beast once again.

  He locked his eyes on hers, noting how black they looked in the harsh light. “I’m but a breath away from making your fantasies a reality.” He moved in closer, drawing his lips over hers, licking at their fullness. “If this isn’t what you want, say it now. For once I start, I’ll be powerless to stop.” He dragged his tongue along her collarbone, ending with an opened mouth kiss on the tip of her shoulder. His fangs twitched, but he kept control, calming the creature with the knowledge he’d be licking her sweet pussy all too soon. The beast pouted, but stayed hidden.

  Terryn moaned, arching into him. “But what about the cameras? I thought…”

  “They’d only be able to see you?” His lips kicked up into a bemused smile. “I happen to know they don’t use film, sweet thing. They only watch. And with today’s technology, they’ll get an eyeful…of both of us.”

  A beautiful shade of pink hued her skin as her eyes darted around the room. He could feel her nervousness. Not at the thought of having him bind her to the bed, but at the realisation others would be watching them. He leant forward, dropping another hot kiss at the base of her neck. “I could break the door down, but it’ll bring more trouble than we need, and I have a feeling I should save my strength. They’ll be plenty of fighting before the night is done, and I don’t want to weaken myself with mere mortals.” He pulled back one last time. “And I can’t shift us out of here. Despite what myths are out there, I can’t move through walls. So answer my question. Shall I stop?”

  Terryn cried out as he wedged his thigh between her legs, rubbing her clit against his muscles. She closed her eyes and tilted her hips, increasing the contact as her teeth clenched tight. He brought his lips down on hers, a low growl warning her to answer. She opened her eyes, catching his gaze. “Don’t stop.”

  Terryn watched as Rafe’s smile turned carnal, his eyes narrowing on her. He didn’t wait on pleasantries, but scooped her up and moved swiftly to the bed, laying her across the thin sheet. Then he grabbed the restraints anchored to the headboard and bound her wrists, kissing her
skin before buckling each one tight. A small quiver of fear coiled in her stomach, but it vanished with the lust in his expression. She held his gaze as he moved down the bed, shackling one ankle, then the other, before he straightened, taking her in one inch at a time.

  “You’re sexy as hell,” he rasped. “Now be a good girl and spread your legs wide. I’m not the only one who wants to see your sweet pussy.”

  She cringed at the thought, but obeyed his command, shivering when he adjusted the chains, giving her little room to move her legs. She waited, snagging her lip, when the bed dipped against his weight.

  “Very nice,” he praised, drawing a finger up one thigh then down the other, skirting past her throbbing core. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been able to enjoy the pleasure of a woman?” he asked, pain flickering in his eyes before lust replaced it. “I’ve waited a lifetime for this moment,” he whispered, though it sounded more as if he was talking to himself. He smoothed his hand up her thigh this time, pausing on the fullness of her mound. “This is what I’m going to do, Terryn. I’m going to pleasure you. Touch every inch of your body, lick every drop of your juice, feel your sheath part for my fingers as you climax around me. I might even allow you to taste my cock after, if you behave. Would you like that?”

  She nodded her head, but a quick, hard tweak of her nipple told her he wanted to hear the words. “Yes, Rafe. I’d like that.”

  He smiled his praise, soothing the slight hurt with a soft brush of his fingers. She arched into the caress, wanting him to press harder again.

  “Once I’ve allowed you to have some fun, I’ll rearrange the restraints so both your arms are together and you’re on your hands and knees,” he continued, the deep resonance in his voice caressing her skin. “I have every intention of spanking that beautiful ass of yours. I want to hear you beg me to fuck you.”