Vampire Coven Book 3: A Vampire's Embrace (18 page)

Hope gasped when he pushed against it and a door swung open. Rhett peered inside. He stepped down into what appeared to be some kind of home. Hope followed. There was a raised platform covered with furs and skins. A hearth lay in the middle of the floor. Bone plates and wooden utensils hung on one side of the wall. It was all so cozy.

“What is this place?” Hope asked.

“It’s someone’s home. At least it was. There are lingering scents, not too old but from months ago. If I didn’t know better I would guess this was a summer camp.”

“Summer camp?”

“Ages ago humans would have a base home for winter and a spring camp for summer where they would hunt and gather food. That way the food closer to their home would be used when needed later in the season.”

“But all humans live in icebergs.”

“Apparently not. Tavish and I haven’t been to this area in centuries and then only in passing. I’ve never seen a human here and had no idea about the home.”  Rhett went to peer back outside for a moment then gazed at her. “From the telltale lumps in the foliage, it would appear to be homes, not just one. I had almost forgotten this area existed until the vampires came and we went a different way to avoid them.”

“They weren’t Tavish’s men were they?”

“No.”

“Where do you think these humans are?”

“I have no clue. But it’s spring here. They should return soon. I think we should wait for them.”

“But Rhett it would be cruel to steal people away.”

“Tavish tries to save humans.”

Rhett cupped her face. Hope knew what he said was true, but images of that man being carried by the vampires to the maze hurt her. She guessed they weren’t there to make him find himself. Maybe if Tavish saved these people they would be safe at his coven—but not all.

“Are you so unhappy there?” Rhett asked.

“Everything reminds me of Ann.”

“Including me?”

“For a while I didn’t want you near me, and then I couldn’t get you close enough. If I listen carefully, I can hear her laughter in the wind. I can see her smiling.”

“And now?”

“I want you close to me.”

Tenderly his lips claimed hers. Hope didn’t want only that; there was so much pent-up anxiety and emotion, she
wanted
her vampire. Her hand fisted into his hair and she dragged him closer. He pulled back for a single moment to search her face. She understood suddenly the term he used of that of an open book. Her emotions, raw and unbridled were exposed.

With a low growl and whirlwind of motion Hope was pinned to the wall where her teddy was pulled over her head. Rhett flipped them to the floor and dragged his shirt off. Next, the softness of the bed cushioned her while Rhett tossed the remainder of his clothing. Another primal move and she once more felt the hardness of the wall at her back. Her breathing was ragged with his passion unleashed. She was going to be taken by a vampire and all he had to offer. Rhett’s tongue pushed past her lips, her head was held in place by a tender power forcing her to yield to his pleasure.

Fingers between her thighs parted her, exposing her vulnerable insides. Hope had never before experienced so much pleasure at such a fast pace. Rhett plunged into her tenderness with three thick fingers until Hope shook. When their kiss broke he gazed deeply into her eyes and ever so slowly pushed her to her knees. Hope’s breath caught. Surely he wouldn’t, but he did.

His long thick arousal was slid into her mouth, her back pressed to the wall there was no retreat. Thighs and hips large and demanding thrust against her as she whimpered. There was nothing else Hope could do except concentrate on him, only him, nothing more. The way his thick cock went deeper. The fingers in her hair stilled any movement. Piercing eyes rested on her, absorbing her into him as he controlled her very breath.

Her mouth opened wider, stretching to its limit and still he plundered her. Hope couldn’t move, couldn’t blink or breathe. She had never belonged to anyone—until now. Her tongue slid along his fierce erection savoring him. Listening to his heady growls, seeing his glowing white eyes, shuddering at his fangs. Hope was alive.

The scattered furs on the floor nestled her knees. Her eyes closed, the hand wrapped around his wrist fell. Rhett pumped faster. He gathered her wrists in one hand and pinned them high above her head while rocking into her.

Hope was in a daze when he released her mouth from his command and pulled her higher. Still pinning her to the wall, he hooked his hand beneath a knee and lifted her from the floor. Hope was so ready for him. His wet, hard arousal thrust up into her heat with a power she had never known, impaling her. Her scream was captured into his mouth. He was taking no quarter. Faster he moved, his body surrounded her.

Each time Hope blinked they were somewhere else. The floor, the wall, the ceiling, nowhere was she spared. No position was spared. Hope was spun to her belly, her side, her back. She was his to love anyway he chose. Gasping, moaning, sobbing, Hope cried out. There was nothing but Rhett, he was everything. Hope whispered his name.

Every fiber of her being tingled when he roared his release and lay her tenderly on the furs upon the bed. Gentle fingers brushed back her sweaty hair from her forehead. Her breathing calmed when he curled around her protecting her from herself and her thoughts.

“You will always be mine,” he whispered into her ear as she drifted to sleep.

I always want to be yours.

Chapter 13

“What language is he speaking?” Hope asked.

Hearing noises, Rhett had taken Hope from the hut. The sky was clouding; Rhett could smell rain in the air. A bear of a man was startled to see Rhett and Hope. He had yelled a command and the jungle beyond stilled.

“I honestly don’t have any idea.” Rhett was stumped; he thought he knew every language known to mankind. The words the big man used were a combination of many languages, all languages. But also new words altogether. As he listened he caught a word here and there and tried to put them together. For now, Rhett held his hands out showing he carried no weapons. The man relaxed and spoke more words. Rustling followed.

Hope gasped and stiffened from behind him. “Rhett look.”

Rhett was astounded; children of all ages, colors races came into view. Young women with babes in arms, pregnant females. Men of all ages from the young to the very old and frail who were being piggybacked. A society of humans the vampires had no idea existed—until now.

“Oh Rhett please, Tavish would slaughter the old and most of the men. Women would be separated from the ones they love. And they do love. See? Those men are shielding their women and children. Men in my old clan would have thrown us to the vampires and run like hell.”

The big man, possibly leader of the tribe, strode up to Rhett with no fear. He asked Rhett a number of questions. Rhett held up his hands.

“Slowly,” Rhett said. The man seemed to understand and began again.

“Who are you?”

Each word was spoken in a different language. Rhett held a finger to his chest. “Rhett,” he said and then introduced Hope.

“I am Octu. Leader. Where did you come from?”

Rhett wasn’t sure but he thought that’s what the man said. “From far away.”

The man nodded. “You are welcome to stay, but no trouble.”

“How long have you been out here?” Rhett asked.

“Forever.”

“Forever?” Rhett whispered.

Rhett’s breathing increased. He wondered if these people knew about vampires. That would be huge. It would be incredible. Ideas formed so fast in Rhett’s mind he was spinning with his thoughts. If he could convince Tavish to let him stay with these people and babysit them until Hope passed, they could have a new beginning. For a while. Tavish would never just leave these humans here after. They needed protecting.

Looking around him Rhett realized he was kidding himself, these people didn’t need protection; they had survived and thrived just fine without the aid or interference of vampires. It was Hope he was concerned with. She had begged him to take her away, anywhere. Here was anywhere.

“Do you have a winter camp?” Rhett asked, but Octu just shook his head. “Camp here?” Rhett tried again and made a circle with his arm to include the area.

“Camp here in spring and summer until early fall. Then stronger home in winter.” Octu made a gesture behind him and pointed far off.

“Rhett, please,” Hope said.

Rhett knew what she wanted. He turned to her. “I know what you want. I need to talk to Tavish, he’ll want to check this area out. I have an idea.”

“Tavish will destroy them,” Hope said, her sad gaze pierced his heart.

“No, this is perfect. If we can watch these humans from a distance and make certain no other vampires touch them we can leave them alone for the duration of the ice age. They never need to know vampires exist. They never need to enter into a pack to destroy themselves. Look at them all. There are way too many for Tavish to take to the coven. This is a human goldmine.”

There had to be at least two hundred humans. Even if they weeded them out there would be too many. Everywhere Rhett looked humans were piling into the many little bush-cave homes. From the air they would never be seen. Their setup was ingenious.

“You take that hut,” Octu said.

He pointed to the one they had vacated. An attractive woman came to stand by Octu. Rhett noted another woman, younger was standing off to the side waiting. Octu saw Rhett staring at her. She was a pretty little thing, sad, lonely.

“This is Mia, that was her hut but she won’t go in anymore, too many memories,” Octu said. He took the woman by the arm and practically dragged her over to Rhett. “Husband gone. Fall through ice on lake hunting in winter. Needs care but is too sad. Always sad.” Octu chucked her under the chin and smiled at her. He gave her a hug and sent her off with the tall woman who Rhett guessed was his wife.

Overhead the rain began to fall. Anyone left standing outside made a hasty retreat to their homes.

“Hunt in morning,” Octu said. He handed Rhett a small sack made from animal skin and made a motion as though eating. Rhett could smell the bread and cheese. Octu clapped Rhett on the back and grinned at Hope before following after his wife.

Rhett took Hope behind the hut they had been given. She still looked sad. Rhett settled the fur she wore tighter to her shoulders. Her face pressed to his chest as he took to the sky. The sooner he left the sooner they could return. The sooner Hope would be happy—Rhett couldn’t wait to make her happy.

* * * *

Hope wandered around the barn. It was quiet, the few animals munched hay. The puppy was at the play area; Hope couldn’t bear to hold him. Rhett had gone to talk to Tavish, he had been so animated and Hope was worried about what Tavish would do. There were so many little ones and not all had mothers of childbearing age. Some of the women had children Ann’s age and older. So many of the women had been held in a man’s arms it made Hope’s mind tumble. Human men who held and comforted their women, their wives, is what Rhett would call them. Tavish and his men would slaughter the foundation of their community.

“You look so sad.”

Hope spun to see Tate coming towards her. She relaxed. Of all the other vampires besides Rhett she knew Tate would be the last to harm her.

“Rhett took me to see a maze.” As Hope said this Tate’s look turned thunderous. He gripped her shoulders in his hands.

“What did he do to you?”

“Nothing, Tate. He was very sweet and helped me realize…”

“The bastard compelled you. I know it.”

“No Tate, I don’t like to be compelled. Rhett knows that.”

“The maze, how could he do that?”

Tate’s eyes were glowing a dazzling white as he gazed deeply into her eyes. Hope tried to fight him in her thoughts but his anger was heightening his drive. He had her and there was nothing she could do.

“Tell me what he did,” Tate demanded.

“He was wonderful to me.”

“Damn it, I can’t break his hold; he’s too strong, not unless I…”

Hope whimpered as Tate lowered his head. She was trapped and couldn’t call to Rhett; Tate’s hold was too strong on her mind.

“Don’t be afraid,” Tate crooned. “I won’t hurt you. I just need to see what he’s done.”

Hope felt his fangs, as gentle as Rhett’s, slide into her throat. His mind plundered hers, her fears were exposed, her dreams, her memories. She had no choice but to give herself to him freely. The love she had for Rhett seeped through her skin into his thoughts. They were loving in the loft.

One of Hope’s most wonderful and confusing memories was the loft. Their joining had been perfect and then the vampires came—they left—they went away. Hope was confused. Rhett was in her thoughts with a heart in his bloodied hand. A vampire’s heart. In a dream she moved to look over the edge.

You don’t need that memory.

The headless bodies of all three vampires crashed into her mind and mixed with memories not her own. The maze was there. A man was being chased, everywhere he turned there was a dead end and at each dead end was a vampire who took a taste until he was drained dry. Everywhere Hope’s mind went there was blood.