Claiming Emerald (8 page)

“What about us?” asked Rory.

Dennis shook his head. “They are only allowing Em. They say they don’t have enough fuel to carry the extra weight. From what I have been told, they are now producing their own supplies, but they are limited.”

Em wished that she could see Rory’s face. “Okay. Thank you, Dennis.”

“You are very welcome. Take good care of Em until tomorrow. She certainly appears to be in good hands.”

Em rolled her eyes. “Thank you, Dennis. Good-bye, Dennis.” He chuckled and let himself out, closing the door behind him. “Well? We have tonight. Keep me warm, boys.” Her jovial voice betrayed the fear in her mind. The vampire governors were not known for their scruples. She wouldn’t put it past them to get her there and keep her there just as they had done to Joel and Gaelic. At least Maryann was dead. To have to deal with Joel and Gaelic’s maker would certainly seal her fate. Maryann hated her. The fact that Vidar liked her could go either way.

Rory pulled from her pussy and walked away. Em wiggled away from Russell and flipped to her feet. She walked over to Rory who was sitting on the bed. Em crawled up onto his lap, her knees to either side of his thighs. “Talk to me.”

“I’m afraid for you.”

“I know. I don’t want to think about what can happen. I would rather concentrate on what is happening now. I will deal with other things when they cross my path. I make you an eternal promise that I will find a way back here. I will come back, Rory. Even if I have to run the entire distance, I will find a way.”

“Don’t make me a promise like that. There is too much of a chance of getting caught in the sun. You are talking about thousands of miles, not just a run in the woods. It would take too long.”

“I don’t care. This is my home. I love you and Salt and Russell. I will not stay there for any reason.”

“I can think of one.”

Her brow creased in worry. “What one?”

“Your home. If they want you to stay, they will threaten to take us out. What will you do if they tell you that you will return here to death if you leave them?”

Em lowered her forehead to his. “I don’t know.”

“Would you believe them?”

“Do you think that I should? You are far older than me.”

He turned his eyes away from her. “I don’t know. Will you give yourself in trade for your freedom?”

Em had considered that while Dennis was speaking. “I could be really bad in bed.”

“And they would know that you are lying. You keep three men satisfied. That wouldn’t happen unless we are really stupid or you are really good.”

Em wiggled her eyebrows. “I guess you aren’t stupid, huh?”

She got the desired result and Rory smiled. “You’re very funny.”

“Rory. I’m not stupid either. I know what can happen. All we can do is to enjoy tonight and hope for the best. I can’t spend eternity like I was a little while ago. I’m a bit warmer for now, but I have a feeling it won’t last. I was cold to the point that it hurt. It was like having frostbite over my entire body. I don’t have any choice.”

Rory nodded slowly. “I know.”

“Then please don’t waste tonight mourning the things that may happen in the days to come. I will find a way, Rory. I always do.”

Em hadn’t realized that Salt and Russell were standing behind her until they each put a hand to her shoulder. “Don’t do anything that will get you killed. As long as you live there is hope. If you get caught out in the sun again, then all hope is gone. I will wait forever for you,” said Salt.

“I will, too.”

Em gave Salt and then Russell a smile. She looked back at Rory. “We are assuming the worst. Let’s assume the best and believe that I will back in a day or two. Okay?”

“I will try.”

“Thank you. Can I take a shot at returning your cock to its former state?”

His expression was sheepish. “I guess you could try. I claim rights to your pussy, so no one else get any ideas.”

Em smiled. “I have only one request. The former position was interesting, but I have visions of collapsing when I come and ending up with my neck broken. Can we do something more normal?”

Russell hopped up on the bed. He walked behind Rory and stunned all three of them when he hauled Rory up onto the bed, with Em still sitting on Rory’s lap. Rory flopped back onto the pillows. “Nice one, Russell. I didn’t realize you were that strong.”

“I’m also that impatient. I want my dick back where it was comfortable.”

Salt grunted. “This is not fair. My dick is still hard.”

Rory glared at him, but got up. “Okay. You two choose. I’ll settle for her mouth for now, but then I get her to myself. You two can go play in the snow or something.”

Salt crawled up onto the bed and flipped to his back. He shimmied under her and moaned as Em sank down over his cock. As promised, it was still poker hard. “Nice. Russell, you in?”

“Of course I am.” He hopped back off the bed and crawled up between Salt’s calves. A moment later, he was sinking into the depths of her anus. The contrast between Salt’s cool dick and Russell’s over hot one was striking. The two men were moving against one another. Rory straddled Salt, grasping Em’s head in his hands. She looked up at him, her eyes remaining on him as she coerced his dick between her lips. It wasn’t completely soft, but she lifted one hand, wrapping it around the staff to build some extra pressure. Her mind was enveloped by the feel of them. Russell was moving slowly, rocking in and out of her ass. Salt was thrusting faster, his movements sending renewed waves of bliss through her. The sensation sent zingers of warmth through her body. Em feared that her flesh was already cooling. The reaction of Rory’s blood was only temporary and by morning it would be completely gone.

Russell picked up the pace, matching Salt’s thrusts. The force of their inner concussion rocked her forward and back, her mouth sealed tightly around Rory. He was obviously enjoying the thrusts, his dick now rock stiff. He was rubbing the sides of her head, rolling his hips in tune with her body. Salt reached up, his hands engulfing her breasts. He massaged the flesh, sending small zingers of pain along with the delight of his slightly harsh caress. Russell was rubbing the cheeks of her ass, molding the skin with his palms.

Em’s cunt was building slowly. The need was growing into a demanding desire stoked by the flames of friction. She wanted it, needed it. Rumbles of sound emanated from deep in her throat, to express her enjoyment, and Salt quickened his thrust. He gained speed as well as intensity, filling and releasing her in a blur of movement. Russell couldn’t flash, so he simply slowed, grinding his dick deeply into her and then only moving in minuscule trusts. It was the ultimate in contrast, hot and cold, slow and flash. Em whimpered, her pussy grabbing at Salt, the muscles of her anus tightening around Russell. She quickened the movements of her head, wanting all three of them in sync when she came. Rory growled, arching his back. Em cried out, her cunt clamping tight for a moment of eternal bliss before the explosion came. Salt released his cold cum into her as Russell spurted hot and solid against her muscles. Rory came next, her mouth filling with his fluid as her pussy throbbed around Salt and Russell. Em was jarred by the climax, her hips thrusting, shivers of sensation causing her to jerk with each contraction of inner muscle.

Rory stepped back. Russell leaned forward and kissed her lower back. Salt reached up and grabbed her face, drawing her down into a kiss. Em swallowed before Salt could part her lips with his tongue. Vampire cum had no taste, but she didn’t want it dribbling into Salt’s mouth while he kissed her.

He made the kiss long and lingering, his tongue touching and caressing hers like a soft whisper of sound. His lips were silky, his hair soft as Em crushed it with her fingers. She wanted to remember the feel of it. Needed to remember with a desperation that confirmed her fears that it might be a long time before she saw any of them again.

Em was exhausted as she tugged on her jeans. She was shivering again, so cold it was wracking her body with the intensity of it. Rory had given her more of his blood, but it had done no good. She needed Joel. She needed Vidar.

Salt held her shirt out so she didn’t have to struggle to get it on. “I had a bad dream last night.”

“Do I want to hear it?”

“Probably not.”

“I assure you that it was no worse than mine. I have no illusions about how cruel the governors can be. I just don’t see how I can spend eternity as I am now.”

Rory lifted her in his arms, his mouth finding hers. He kissed her with a desperation found in the moments before her parting. When he pulled back, she stroked his cheek. “I wish there was another way, Rory.”

“Yeah, me, too. I went to Joel’s room last night and went through every one of his books. I couldn’t find anything.”

“I know you did. I rolled over and you were gone. It made me realize how empty our bed is going to be. Forget what I said last night. Ignore everything they say to you and come back. If it means fucking them, then do it. I don’t care what it takes, just come back to us.”

Em nodded. “I have every intention of doing that. I love you so much. You gave me life without the agony of starvation. You gave me love that I didn’t know you were capable of. You taught me your ways and I adore them. I don’t mind if you fill the void in my absence.”

He lowered his eyes, slowly shaking his head. “I no longer have a desire to be with anyone else.”

“Neither do I. I love what we have. We are the perfect combination of personalities and emotions. I’m sure some people harbor the idea that there is jealousy here, but there isn’t. You each have your own traits that complement each other.”

His smile was wistful. “I know. You are the center that makes everything perfect. You give us no reason to be jealous because we are so special to you.” A pink tear rolled from the corner of his eye and down his cheek. “I’m trying so hard to remain positive, but I, too, had my own set of nightmares last sun. Just always remember how much I love you. We love you.”

“I will.” Rory kissed her again and then set her down.

Russell gave her a sad smile. “Ditto to everything Rory just said.”

“Maybe this would be a good time to sow your oats.”

“I’ll think about it.” He held out his arms and Em walked into them. Russell held her as if he never wanted to let her go. “I love you so much.”

“I know. I love you back. You’re my teddy bear.”

He chuckled, his chest rising against her breast. “Be safe, Em.”

“I’m gonna try.” He loosened his hold and kissed her, his lips so warm and savory. Russell tasted like fresh fruit and corn meal. Someone must have made muffins for breakfast. She parted from him with reluctance. Russell stroked back her hair. Em realized that it must have grown some over night.

“I’ll miss you.”

“Me, too.”

Salt put his hands to her shoulders, turning her to face him. “There is nothing left to say. I love you. You saved my life and gave me the one that I always dreamed of. To now dream of spending eternity without you is unimaginable. Come back.”

“I will.”

Salt adjusted her hair and then stared at her before closing his eyes. It was as if he was setting her face to memory. She leaned into him and gave him a kiss. “I have to go.”

Salt nodded and Rory held her jacket out for her to put it on. He shrugged, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat as he swallowed. Em saw the tears in his beautiful blue eyes. “Will the three of you do me a favor? Stay here. There is an old Indian superstition that if you watch someone walk out of your sight, you will never see them again.”

“Okay. We will stay.”

She nodded and gave him another quick kiss. With a final look to Russell and Salt, Em walked from the room and shut the door. Em flashed down the hall and through the fortress. Throwing open the door, she raced out into the night and leapt the fence. Em was on the road a second later and she followed it, looking for the helicopter. It was waiting for her in a clearing a slight distance away.

Em climbed into the seat, her body shaking not only from the cold but from a feeling of impending doom. She gave the driver a quick smile. “Hi.”

“Hi. You’re Emerald Slade?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I’m Nelson. Hold tight. The fuel in this thing makes it a turbo rocket in the guise of a helicopter. You might want to fasten your seatbelt.”

Em did as he asked and Nelson started the small machine. She had never been on a helicopter before and had no idea what to expect. It lifted into the air, hovering for a moment and then taking off into the sky. Em had not expected it to force her back into the seat, but it did. Nelson was right. The small craft was incredibly fast, the forest below them blurring as they headed to New York. She had to wonder suddenly if her feelings of doom were directly related to the helicopter.

* * * *

They landed just outside a large settlement. From what Em could tell, there were probably a hundred houses built around a central brick building. The entire thing was surrounded by a high fence and standing just outside the open gate was Gaelic.

Em unhooked her seatbelt. “Are you coming in?”

“No. You are to go find Joel, get his blood, and then return. This is not a friendly visit for you to get to know one another again.”

“Okay. Does Joel know that?”

“He has been told.”

Em opened the door and slid out. It felt as if every joint in her body was aching from the internal chill. She shivered as she walked to Gaelic. Oddly enough, it was easier to run. It calmed the tremors slightly.

Gaelic looked at her and sighed. “What happened?” He hooked his arm around her and began to walk.

“We were out trying to find windmills.” She sighed and told him the complete story before shivering violently. “Now I’m fucked up.”

“Who is Russell?”

Em had forgotten that Joel and Gaelic had left before she got involved with Russell. “He’s a shifter.”

“Why would a shifter be so interested in saving you?”

“Um. Because he joined us a while back.”

Gaelic stopped and glared at her. “You are fucking a shifter?”