Run the Gantlet (13 page)

She had no subtle flaws that made him smile and wonder and want to know more.

The blonde was something else. She held the outer shape until she passed out of sight of the store and then the façade dissolved and a gray-haired old hag was revealed.

“Of course.” A witch was stil a witch no matter how she dressed herself up. He’d had a strong suspicion in the supermarket she was a witch. Probably a third order witch if she could morph as she did. So who was she, and what did she want? That it had something to do with Caitriona was obvious. Arrow remembered Mesopia’s email research. Any one of those three witches was potential trouble and unlike mortals, Arrow had seen his share of black-hearted harpy witches. They thought only of themselves, and unlike their kinder white witch sisters, they did not care about the lives of others or the destruction they may cause.

That he and Eloise were so close to fulfil ing the tests and bringing Caitriona back had to be the reason a witch was circling. He had no doubt that the reappearance of Caitriona on mortal soil was bound to anger a lot of people. One thousand years was a long time. Clearly the lady had enemies. Arrow knew immortal beings held a grudge longer than anyone.

And then it hit him. Arrow knew why the witch was taunting Eloise. It was so obvious he was ashamed he did not realize it sooner. If they succeeded in weakening Eloise to the point of wild and irrational jealousy as they had with her kinswoman, then the tests were not fulfil ed and Caitriona did not come back. It would almost certainly mean the end of the Gaunt clan. Last night with Eloise had told him more about the woman he loved. She did not admit feelings easily, but when she did, they were real and true and were not ever taken back. Jealousy was a potent emotion and Eloise being Eloise was quick to act. The thought that she might do so without thinking might ruin what they had.

“I wil not let that happen.”

“Eloise is headstrong,” a voice whispered beside him.

A vague, shimmering form appeared, standing beside him. Caitriona. Arrow was not surprised. The veil between worlds was very thin and that she was so close to coming back made it more so. Arrow could only make out waves of red hair, a sad smile and a buxom frame.

“Yes, she is.”

“The witches—”

Arrow heard the fear in her voice. “They wil not win. What is the final test?”

“They are.”

This surprised Arrow. “You don’t you determine the tests?” It was like handing someone the bal and tel ing them not to shoot the final goal.

“I thought so until now.” Caitriona sounded aggrieved. “It seems the gods want to see my life replayed.”

Arrow clenched his fists at her words. “Eloise wil not die by her own hand.” There was no way he would al ow that to happen.

“Nor did I.”

Her words confirmed something that had puzzled him. Strong people did not commit suicide, nor did they mutter words about redemption and coming back to life. “What happened?”

“That’s a very long story, vampire.”

Arrow could just make out her sad smile. “They always are.”

“Now is not the time to tel it. The reckoning wil come. Save Eloise and yourself. You need her.”

“I know.” Eloise had brought life into his lonely world.

“You cannot tel her the truth about Sineag being a witch.” Her hand rested for a moment on Arrow’s arm. “It must play out as the gods decide or none of us wil survive this.” Caitriona shivered. “Be careful.”

* * * * *

“Hi, shorty.” Arrow’s eyes went immediately to the woman he loved. She was leaning on the shop counter and looking less than pleased.
Is it me or
someone else?
Arrow’s mind went back to that moment in the shower.
Nah, it’s not me.
They both felt too good after that. Just thinking of that made his cock harden. He knew what it was. The witch. Eloise was jealous. Arrow smiled. The idea that he could mean so much to Eloise made his heart pound with excitement.

“Hel o.” Eloise surveyed him thoughtful y.

“What’s up?” Should he tel her about his talk with Caitriona? Arrow wanted to be honest with Eloise, but at what cost? What risks did he take?

“Nothing.”

That was enough of a confirmation for Arrow to know yet another problem loomed. He looked forward to the day when there was nothing but the two of them. No ghosts from the past or witches to fight. “Come on, tel me. I’m a good listener.”

Eloise blew out a sigh. “If you wanted someone else you would tel me before you…wel , you know…”

That was most definitely the sound of jealousy on her lips. Arrow moved to stand beside her, his hand reaching for hers. “I don’t want to ‘you know’ with anyone else but you, Eloise. You’re stuck with me.”

Eloise looked down at their entwined hands. “What if I wanted to—”

Arrow chuckled at the thought. He knew that once Eloise gave her heart it was forever.

“I could quite easily, you know, with any man,” she retorted, trying to pul her hand from his.

He nodded. Eloise was right. There would be many men who would want her. “But you are mine.” He did not add that not a lot of men were strong enough to handle the tempestuous Eloise, and no woman could manage him as beautiful y as she did.

“That sounds awful y possessive there, fang face.”

Arrow liked that she sounded pleased. He leaned in close to her. “I want to ‘you know’ your brains out.” He loved the way she jumped at his suggestion. It was part nerves and part excitement.

Mesopia appeared from the back of the store. “I can only guess what that means. Go for it.”

He needed no further urging. He pul ed Eloise into his arms and spun her out of the room.

“Wow! Sex in a bed. Who would have thought that?” They were both naked and standing beside her bed. Eloise had expected to end up in some exotic locale when Arrow had spun her fast and furiously through space. She was pleased to be back in her own home. Dorothy had it right. There was no place like home, especial y with the person she loved.

“You seem surprised.” Arrow pushed her down on the soft bedding.

Eloise reached up her hands to him. She craved the feel of his hot, hard flesh against her own. “Have we ever been in a bed together? Seems kind of radical for us.” She sighed in pleasure as Arrow settled between her open legs and his hands massaged her breasts.

“Let’s live dangerously, shorty.”

The loaded cock pushing at her stomach was the kind of danger Eloise liked. “I’m not sure I know how to have sex in a bed,” she teased as the palms of her hands cupped his ass. “Al this comfort and sex at the same time. Fancy that.”

“Hey, I can’t help it if you drive me wild and I need to have you immediately regardless of where we are.”

In so many ways that was sexist and domineering.
But damn it. I love it. The way he said it.
“You’re sweet.”

“I adore you.” Arrow kissed her nose playful y.

“Bed sex, huh?”

“Oh it wil work.”

And then Arrow kissed Eloise and al things were possible.

* * * * *

“The way they carry on is disgusting.” Finel a turned her head from the scene on the bed. “Do we have to watch this?”

“They fuck like bunnies. I wouldn’t mind biting his ass.” Sineag’s eyes were glued on the taut flesh in question.

Darragh shook her head in despair. She was stuck with a virgin and a harlot and unfortunately she needed them both to harness their power to save herself. They had fol owed the pair to the Gaunt woman’s house. The plan was to remain invisible and watch to see what information they could find out about the man to make him more susceptible to Sineag’s advances. So far her attempts had been pointless. Sineag had declared the vampire was probably gay. Darragh doubted this due to the large, healthy cock that was pressing into the woman’s flesh. The vampire and the mortal appeared to be insatiable for each other. She was fast understanding, unlike her friend Caitriona, this one would not believe her man was unfaithful.

Darragh could almost swear she felt Caitriona breathing down her neck. If this pair passed the seventh test and Caitriona came back, then it was the death of the witches. “We have to break them up now.” She did not like the sound of desperation in her voice but it was how she felt.

“It’s gross what they do to each other.” Finel a grimaced. “Why would she even want that inside her? It’s way too big.”

Sineag smiled and licked her lips as they watched the vampire’s cock plough back and forward inside the woman. “Tomorrow he is mine.”

Darragh exchanged looks with Finel a. Break up the lovers. Kil Sineag, destroy Finel a and then face Caitriona.

* * * * *

Eloise’s nails raked down Arrow’s back as his cock slammed into her. This was exactly what she needed. A good, fast fuck. She panted as she tried to keep pace with him but it was too hard, so she wound her legs around his waist and enjoyed the ride. Arrow leaned down and bombarded her lips with wild, hungry kisses.

“Okay?” he murmured against her lips, his thrusts becoming more determined.

“Make me scream,” she answered, her hands going down to grab his ass to hold him close. Eloise was so close to climax that she knew it would take very little. She liked being wild and out of control with Arrow. He made her feel so safe and loved and that there was nothing he would not do for her. As her body stiffened with the first thril of pleasure, she felt tears come in her eyes.

“You’re crying.” He stopped al movement as his fingers touched the moisture on her face in concern. “I have hurt you. I didn’t even think how hard I was pushing you.” Arrow started to pul his cock from her body.

“No, don’t leave me.” Eloise held on to him. “You make me feel so happy, fang face.” She hadn’t cried for the longest time and then never tears of happiness.

Arrow’s hands cradled her face. “Oh shorty, you humble me like no other.”

He was the most beautiful man and he was hers.
I can ask for no more.
” Don’t get too humble. I like how cocky you are.”

Arrow grinned. “You like cocky?” He linked her hands with his and pushed them over her head.

“I love cocky. Now make me come,” she urged, and was held as an eager captive beneath him. It was not long before a rush of sensation tore through her body. Eloise felt Arrow jerk hard and come with her. It was a perfect moment. They were perfect.

As they lay stil locked together, Arrow leaned in and licked her neck. “I need to taste you.”

He wanted her blood. She was happy to give it. “You don’t have to ask.” Eloise loved the man. She would give him whatever he needed. As his fangs grazed her throat, she pushed him back. “No.”

He looked confused. “What?”

“My thigh.” She wanted to experience that same feeling she had the other night in the shower. It was so primal and wicked.

“You liked that?” Arrow looked pleased.

“Oh hel yes. I loved that.”

He raised up from her body, his cock sliding out from within. “Because you don’t have to cover the mark up?”

“I am proud to have your mark on me. I love you. I just like it when you suck on my thigh.” The pride she saw in Arrow’s eyes made her start to cry again.

He really loves me.

“Your wish is my command.”

“I’l remember that.”

Arrow lifted her legs to her shoulders, his eyes on hers as he fastened his mouth to her inner thigh.

The pain was exquisite. It was a moment of needle-thin intensity before a wave of heat flooded her veins and made her limp like a rag dol . It was both relaxing and wildly sexual. It was, once more, perfect.

Chapter Ten

Eloise had the strangest dream. It was a about a man she had never seen before. He ran toward her, his eyes wide with panic and sorrow as he yel ed in anguish.

“No, not her. Anyone but her.”

It was so vivid and clear. As Eloise fought the haze of the dream, she felt herself standing next to a woman she knew was Caitriona. The man ran to them.

“No!” he thundered. The man grabbed Caitriona as she fel to the ground. “You cannot do this to us. You have ruined everything.” He cradled the woman in his arms and wept fiercely. “I cannot be without you. You cannot do this to us.” His eyes then locked on Eloise. “Save us. Save her. We must live again.”

Eloise woke with a start. “You cannot do this to us,” she murmured.

“What can’t I do?” Arrow turned over and looked at her.

I have a naked man in my bed. I have someone I have to save
. Which is real and which is fantasy, or are they both one and the same? “Um, I was dreaming.” She ran her hand down his chest. What she felt was warm, hard and real. Arrow, her lover. So who was the other man? As much as Eloise may have wanted to shrug the dream off as a flight of fantasy, she knew she couldn’t. He also felt real and Caitriona was now too much a part of her life to dismiss her so easily. She looked at the clock. Looking at Arrow only gave her ideas that would make her late for work. As enjoyable as that was, Eloise needed to think about the dream and that was hard to do with the naked Arrow beside her. “I have to get ready and go to work.” Maybe Mesopia could guide her in some direction. Eloise knew if she told Arrow he would worry and fuss over her.

“You could skip it and stay in bed with me.”

His grin would have made angels drop their knickers. “I need to actual y turn up to work occasional y to get paid.” A naked man was offering her heaven and yet she decided to go deal with yak spit. “Later.”

“Promise?”

“Oh God yes.” When Arrow looked at her like that she was ready to promise him the moon tied with a big red bow. Eloise leaned in and kissed him quickly before he had a chance to change her mind. She jumped out of bed and rushed to the shower.

“Chicken,” he teased.

* * * * *

“Fucking bitch,” Eloise cursed as she rounded the corner to Voodoo You and saw the blonde outside the shop. Or at least she thought she did. The woman disappeared before Eloise could park and get out of the borrowed car. “Where the hel did she go?”

“You’re a fool,” said a voice at her side.

Eloise turned to see the shimmering form of a woman. Al street noise stopped and it was like they were the only two who existed. “I beg your pardon?”