Christian's Hunt Page 6

  “Josh.” Letting out a groan, she put her hand to her forehead. She sounded defeated and regarded him with sadness. “Let’s not fight. I came to see you and not to talk about vampires.”

  Josh took the rag out of his pocket and cleaned his face with it. His gaze drifted to the doorway as he kneaded the dirty fabric with his fingers. “So, how long will you be staying?”

  “I’m not sure.” Addison shrugged. “Hopefully for a few months. I’ve missed Caron a lot, and I’d love to see Mom while I’m here. Discuss her new friend.”

  Josh wiped off his hands and threw the rag onto the paint tray. He stared at the doorway again instead of paying attention to her.

  “What are you—” Addison spun and saw Christian and Darien. Christian leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, his body outlined by the light coming in from the windows behind him.

  “There you are, Mistress.” Darien motioned for them to come. “Is that your brother? He’s a little guy, ain’t he? Bring him here and let me meet him.” His manner was cordial, but his words mocked.

  “Um…” She glanced at Darien then at Josh. “I don’t think it’s—”

  “Sure. We’ll be over in a sec,” Josh answered Darien. He clutched his sister’s hand and flashed her an assuring smile. “Introduce me to your new friend.” Josh walked Addison to the vampires, her head lowered as she lagged.

  “Good evening, Master Vallore.” Josh waved to Christian, but his grin vanished when the Master didn’t reciprocate. The vampire’s stare was shrewd.

  She perceived he would act this way, and it’s why she didn’t want him speaking to Josh. Spying Darien’s scowl, she figured he would not be nice, either.

  Josh yanked hard on Addison’s hand. She stumbled forward and stood next to him. Josh addressed Darien, squeezing Addison’s hand when she tried yanking back. “Hi, I’m Josh, Addison’s big brother.” He held his other hand out to Darien in greeting.

  “Nice to meet you.” Darien didn’t shake his hand. Instead, he struck an intimidating posture, tucking his arms across his breast like a bird puffing itself up. He sized up Josh and noted the twins’ joined hands. “Our queen told me a lot about you. You two are pretty tight.”

  Addison turned to Christian, who eyed Josh with the same threatening expression. His hand halted near his lips, his mouth open and exposing his fangs.

  “Christian—” She released Josh’s hand and brushed her body against Christian’s until she got a reply. “—sorry, I didn’t wait for you.”

  “No matter. Let’s go upstairs and rest.” Christian wrapped his arms around her waist. “It’s been a long day.”

  “But I want to stay with Josh,” she sputtered.

  “I’m gonna steal the kid for a while. You can see him later,” Darien said with a mischievous grin. He palmed Josh’s shoulder, her twin in awe of the famous vampire. Darien was renowned by the family as the strongest Elite, her brother star struck.

  Addison sought to wiggle loose, but Christian hugged her tight. She studied Christian’s face then Darien’s. She didn’t trust either of them.

  Her hands lay on Christian’s shoulders, Addison poised to thrust him backward. “But I haven’t seen Josh in so long. I—”

  “Listen to the Master,” Josh replied in a harsh tone. He tried to act cool, but in doing so, was being a huge prick.

  Christian motioned for Darien to leave with Josh. Palming her cheeks, he made her look at him, as she attempted to follow where Darien took her twin. “Darien wishes to speak to him in private. Let us honor his request.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

  “But I—”

  “He’ll be fine.” Christian kissed her throat, maneuvering her further into the room Josh painted.

  “But he—” Seeking to wriggle her head from his palms, Addison remained on her tiptoes and peered beyond his shoulder.

  Darien sent her a smile and a limp wave before walking away with her brother.

  “Christian—” She touched Christian’s cheeks and scolded him. “—be nice to my brother.”

  “Do not fret so, my love.” Christian sent her a sunny grin. “I don’t intend to harm your brother.” He planted a tender kiss on her lips, softening her pout. “Darien needs to discuss something with him.”

  “Discuss what?”

  “You can ask Josh later.” His nose rested against hers as he whispered, “Come upstairs and relax with me. I’ll stay with you until I leave for the hunt.”

  “Okay.” Her statement was weak as she draped her arms around his neck and rubbed her cheek against his starched collar. “Christian?”

  “Yes?” Withdrawing, he caressed her cheek and studied the invisible trail of his fingers.

  “Josh is very important to me.” A frown crept onto her lips as she corrected his blue tie. “Protect him for me?” She clung to the satiny fabric for a few seconds before tucking it into his suit coat. “Not as Master Vallore, but as my husband.”

  “Of course.” Christian gave her a hurried kiss. His hands slid down her shoulders and arms and took her hands.

  As they went to their suite, Addison’s pace was sluggish. She held Christian’s hand with a limp grasp, but his grip was solid, as it always was. He fetched a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.

  He motioned for her to enter before him. Her shoulders drooped, and she aimed her eyes at the floor. He locked the exit as she wandered to the bed. She shed her pumps and tossed them away before working on her skirt. When finished, she sat on the bed.

  “Do not be angry with me.” Christian stalked closer to her, his gait steady, not a ripple of a fault in his nimble steps. He parked next to her, cupping her cheek and turning her face toward him. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “I’m sorry.” Speaking in a babyish tone, Addison’s hands flew to Christian’s suit coat, her fingers working on the buttons holding it shut. “I’m worried about Josh.” When she had the jacket open, her hands explored inside it before she wrapped her arms around his abdomen. “I love him very much.” She snuggled into his shirt as he embraced her. “I want him to be a vampire, but—then I don’t.”

  Christian pushed on her shoulders and moved her head from his chest. “Why not? What is wrong with being a vampire?”

  “Nothing.” Addison laughed as she jumped further onto the bed and crawled on her hands and knees to the middle of it. She now sat in her blouse and panties. Her voice dropped its seriousness, a pout to her lip as she spoke in a flirty tone. “Christian?”

  “Yes?” He scaled her legs, his dark brow kissing his frosty blue eyes.

  “I don’t make a great vampire, either, do I?”

  His face now hovered near hers, his body warm. “You’re an excellent vampire.”

  “Even though I can’t hunt?”

  “You are a mate. Being my pampered queen is your role. You are not my hunter.” He brushed the surface of her chin with his hand.

  He recited in Aerolin, the words mesmerizing when given life by Christian’s smooth voice. “Forever in my arms, you shall lie, bathed by the healing light of my love and sustained by the liquid nectar of my kisses. I shall care for you like my treasure—breakable, fragile, and priceless. My hands will be the only to touch you, to feed you. All you will ever need is me. My love for you is like the heavens, immeasurable and eternal.”

  Addison grinned, wrapping her arms around his collar and repeating his last line in her language, “My love for you is like the heavens, immeasurable and eternal.”

  A subdued laugh escaped Christian’s throat as his tongue swiped his top teeth and he checked out her neck. “Eternity. My gift to you letting me cherish you through a million lifetimes.”

  His hands ventured inside her blouse, his kisses drifting to her neck.

  Addison’s gaze bounced across the square pattern on the white ceiling, her thoughts shifting to Josh. “Christian?”

  He didn’t respond. Instead, he thrust his fingers under her bra, taking ahold of her breast
.

  “Christian?”

  His kisses flew to her mouth, silencing her.

  She forced him back. “Are you making Josh a—”

  He gave her one more kiss and pointed to his neck. “Enough.” His brow furled, intensifying the anger souring his tone. “I do not care to speak of Josh anymore.” He spoke in a sharper tone than normal, and she perceived his irritation. “Now, I want a kiss from my love.”

  Addison nodded, licking her lips as she scanned his throat. Leaning closer, Christian invited her to bite him. Her mouth brushed his skin, her breath warming it.

  As her fangs pierced his flesh, Christian’s hands rubbed her belly. They found a resting place on her hips. The gratification of her ferocious kiss caused him to take a firmer grip and let out a grunt.

  *

  His grip loosened when she slumped in his arms, the effect of his godly blood making her fall asleep. Christian examined her relaxed state. His blood painted her lips crimson, a stream dripping from her mouth and sliding down the steep slope of her chin.

  Leaning forward, he licked the trail of blood from her chin to her nose. “Goodnight, my love.” He kissed her, plunging his tongue inside her mouth and savoring his blood lingering within. Christian pecked her cheek, his lips leaving a bloody impression on her skin.

  Now that she was out, he met with Josh and Darien in the sitting room. It was dusk, the chamber saturated with pink light. They decorated the chamber in soft whites and pearl, giant windows reaching up to the high ceiling. A cool breeze billowed the drapes. Soft music played, the sweet scent of lavender and vanilla creating a serene atmosphere.

  It was a perfect place to relax and visit with his vampires. But not tonight. Christian didn’t look forward to this visit.

  He saw Darien making small talk with Josh and they got along well. They ceased when Christian arrived, their attentions snapping to him. Nervous, Josh twiddled his fingers as Christian sat in the chair near him.

  “Is the Mistress asleep?” Darien chuckled as he scanned Christian’s face.

  “Yes.” Christian put his hand to his eyebrow for a few moments as he glared at the space in front of him.

  The silence was too much for Josh and he spoke. “Um…” He bounced his knees, his breathing rapid. “Darien said you—ah—thought of making me an Elite. Is that true?” Though impatient, Josh tried to mask it, desperation in his voice. “Or was he making it up?”

  Christian straightened and focused on Josh, the ice in his stare making it tough for Josh to stay still. “I was considering it.” He said the words, but he didn’t mean them.

  Josh was a terrible candidate for an Elite. But Christian admitted, the boy wanted it. He’d die, cheat or murder to become one. He had drive and Christian hoped to use to his advantage. Josh was his pawn like his other lower-tier Elites.

  Addison would do anything for Josh. If Josh became a vampire, Addison had no link with humans anymore. She’d be happier with him around and Christian would do everything to make her happy.

  This was Darien’s suggestion, and if it went sour, Darien would suffer the Master’s wrath. It took Darien a long time to persuade him. Even now, Christian doubted this decision.

  Josh begged, “I won’t disappoint you if you do. I promise. Please, let me prove it to you. You can count on me.”

  Pausing, Christian observed Josh squirm. Josh’s breath was rapid, his body trembling. Christian’s frosty stare didn’t help relieve the suspense, either.

  “I’ll vouch for the kid, and so will the Mistress.” Darien noticed and stepped in. He slapped Josh on the rear, Josh almost tumbling off the sofa. “You’ll work hard, won’t ‘ya kid?”

  “I will,” Josh spat out, his words shaking. “You won’t regret your decision, Master.”

  “I’ll hold you to it,” Christian whispered. He licked his lips, straightened his suit coat, and swept invisible dirt off the pristine black fabric. He stalled for a few moments as his gaze locked with Josh’s. The boy was ready to hyperventilate, the tension building between them.

  “Josh—” Christian sneered, his focus moving to Darien. Again, he hesitated, a curl to his top lip. “Would you—” He struggled to force out the words, but it hurt. Once this was done, he couldn’t go back.

  Darien motioned for Christian to go on.

  Christian did so. “—like to enter my family?”

  Josh beamed as he sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees. “I would love to! I mean—” He drove a wobbling hand over his hair as he stumbled with his words. “—I’d be honored to.”

  “Good.” Christian nodded. “After your initiation as a Scavenger, you will join Darien and me on a hunt. If you pass the test, I will initiate you as an Elite.”

  “Wow!” Josh cheered, jabbing his open palm with his fist. “I can’t believe this! You won’t regret this, Master, I promise. I will be a great hunter.”

  “It’s my hope.” Christian’s gaze ticked to Darien. “But—” He addressed Josh. His manner was nicer than it was earlier, but Christian faked it. Inside, he was furious with himself. “—though the Mistress wishes this, it will be hard on her. Please be sympathetic when breaking the news.”

  “Okay, but I know she’ll be cool with it. She knows how much I want this, and she’ll want me to be happy. She worries too much.” Josh let out a shaky laugh, clapping his hands. “Kinda like my second mom. She’ll make a great mother.”

  “She told you she desires a child?” Christian’s gaze narrowed, his tone caustic. His tongue peeped out of his mouth and licked the point of his fang.

  Josh writhed in his seat. His words ran off his lips with haste. “Yes. She told me she saw it in a dream.”

  “Saw what?” Christian reclined in his armchair.

  “You guys having a baby.” Josh groaned and smoothed his black hair he wore in a ponytail. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to blurt that out. I thought she told you.”

  “No, she hasn’t. I’m glad you told me. My love’s thoughts are important to me. As my Elite, you must tell me of all she does, says, or worries about. Keeping her happy and safe is our job.”

  “You want me to spy on her?” Confused, Josh scratched the stubble on his cheek. Under his nails they were black, his fingernails short like he bit them.

  “No.” Christian focused on his wedding ring, twirling it around his finger. “I want you to watch her. If she confides anything to you about me or the other vampires, tell me.”

  He pointed a finger at Josh, his tone venomous. “Fuck, even if she’s having a lousy day, I need to know. If it regards her well-being, you inform me.

  “And never forget, I’m your Master and she is your Mistress. My mate. Only mine. All she will ever need is me. She is never to assume otherwise, and it’s your duty to keep it that way. No one outshines me in her eyes. Ever. Never overstep your rank. Learn that.”

  “I understand.” Josh was uncomfortable and wiped his forehead a few times as he shifted his position. Josh studied the floor tiles as he bit his lip. He captured it for a few seconds before letting his bottom lip roll out from under his front teeth. He repeated this nervous action a few times.

  Christian’s irritation melted with Josh’s submission and the sight of fear on his face. “Excellent. I’m glad you understand because I will not tell you politely a second time.”

  “Of course,” Josh spat out, his voice wobbling. “Yeah. I totally understand.”

  “And you must learn to love the hunt. Crave it.” Christian fisted his hand and dangled it in front of Josh. “You must grow into an efficient killer. As an Elite, you’re obligated to help clear the list and offer sustenance for our family.”

  “Ya-yeah. I will.” Laughing to crush the tension, Josh’s gaze jumped from Christian to Darien.

  “You may be my mate’s brother, but I will not go easy on you. You will be like the other Elites. There will be no special treatment. And don’t speak of hunting to my love. She need not know how her food is—” Christian chuckled as his gaze met
with Darien’s. “—handled. Never make her doubt we are the good guys even if you must lie to her. She already feels remorseful for killing when she needn’t be. Let’s not stress her out further.”

  “Got it—” Darien punched Josh’s bicep in play, and Josh rubbed his arm. “—Omega? No telling the Mistress about hunts. If she asks, you say it’s none of her business. Got it?”

  Josh wanted to say more, but Christian sat next to him on the couch.

  “Enough talk. Let’s finish this.” Grabbing his shoulders, Christian shoved Josh into the cushion and sank his fangs into his warm flesh. Josh gritted his teeth. The first bite always hurt for the male Elites.

  Josh’s blood was repulsive, the taste of oil on his skin mixing with cologne and making it taste worse.

  Chapter Five

  Vallore Manor: Villa Monte, Caron

  I t was the night after Josh’s initiation as a Scavenger. Tonight, was crucial. If he failed, he wouldn’t become an Elite. Josh couldn’t fail.

  The band of vampires hunted three young ladies on the House’s list who were attending a party at a local park. This was unlucky for their companions caught in the crossfire, though.

  Palming the wall of a latrine, Josh stood behind the Master and Darien. Samson was at the head. He was the commander of the Caron vampires while in the Master’s absence, so it was traditional for him to lead the hunt.

  The vampires surveyed the gathering and waited for the best time to strike. The girls hung around a fire shooting up, drinking, and enjoying a good time with friends. Garbage littered the grass, people here either high or sloshed. Loud music pumped from the speakers of a truck.

  Darien smacked Josh hard on the rear. “Catch a bitch and toss her in the van. Sneak a taste if you want but save your appetite for dinner. We’ll get the guys.”

  “Your goal is two.” Samson’s cat-like gaze searched the flock. “It may look hard initially, but it will become easier once you have the hang of it. Here we go.”

  The Master and Darien ran out of the shadows and toward the crowd. Samson bolted from his hiding place and captured two men. He bound them with the rope he dangled from his belt. He lugged them by the hair to the van and tossed them inside. Josh struggled to catch a lady running, but couldn’t.