A Hunters Promise Read online

  Reaper shut the door on that thought. Who cared if the man was hooked up? He hadn’t ever given Quenton a minute’s thought until Grimm had said the man had a thing for him. He truly doubted it though since Grimm was a dick. Of course, most people said the same thing of Reaper.

  “I found a number of journals that I think may be relevant to what we need, but haven’t had time to go through them.”

  “I can read,” Reaper said, with just a bit of heat in his voice. Most people thought all he could do was kill and fuck, but Reaper had been sent to school. He didn’t have any fancy college degrees, but he read quite a bit. Not that he shared that with anyone.

  Quenton motioned him to follow, and the two of them went back to the room where the oldest documents were kept. This was the place they found the journal containing information about the vampire and the human woman. Quenton picked up a sheath of old parchment pages and carried them to a desk.

  “These are pages from an Ancient. They are a combination of journal pages and letters. I’m fairly certain he mentions a human he’s connected with, but I haven’t gotten very far. Let me get you some gloves so you can handle the pages.”

  Reaper sat in the squeaky chair and turned on a small lamp. He was so large he overwhelmed the small desk. He also hoped like hell he didn’t end up breaking the chair. Gloves were placed on the desk in front of him. Shit, Quenton moved so quietly Reaper hadn’t even heard him. He wondered again about the man and where he’d come from.

  “The Ancient who wrote these pages was born after the author of the journal we found. Of course, that was written around the twelfth century. I believe this one is possibly sixteenth or seventeenth century. I skimmed it, and he writes about someone who intoxicates his senses.”

  “Yep, flowery bullshit poetry,” Reaper said, shaking his head. “Why do these dudes feel like they have to write like that?”

  Quenton tapped his chin. “Perhaps he felt that saying he wanted to fuck the shit out of her wasn’t poetic enough.”

  Reaper snorted. “Yeah, but it sure as hell gets the point across.”

  Quenton laughed, and Reaper didn’t think he’d ever heard him do that before. It wasn’t as if the two of them were friends or even mild acquaintances. Truly, Reaper didn’t have friends. None of the Hunters did. Except for Grimm, he amended. Grimm and Quenton were friends or they had been. Reaper hadn’t seen Quenton around in the last few weeks, nor had he heard Grimm mention him.

  Instead of prying, Reaper put on the gloves and leaned over the first page. None of his business, he told himself, just read the pages. The sooner they found answers the faster he could be out on the street doing what he did best.

  * * * *

  Hands moved down her body. Aislinn sighed as a mouth closed over a nipple and sucked. She ran her hands over a heavily muscled back, enjoying the sensation of hot male skin. She parted her legs as fingers delved and explored. She moaned as her clit was lightly pinched. Never before had she felt like this, never before had anyone touched her like this. She’s spent her life locked in a hospital, and though, she’d pleasured herself, no one had ever touched her before.

  Lips and tongue replaced the hand on her most private place, and her eyes rolled at the sensations. He licked and sucked as she sobbed in need. Then his enormous penis was there, easing inside of her body. She spread her legs wide and clutched at him as he nuzzled her neck. His cock took her virginity as his fangs punched into her throat. She screamed as she came.

  Aislinn sat bolt upright in bed, shaking. Dream. It was a dream. But her body throbbed and shook with unmet needs. She placed her hand over the spot on her neck, but there was nothing. No blood, no marks. Always in the past, when she’d dreamed, there had been terror and pain. This time, God, this time was so different.

  Shakily, she climbed from the bed and made her way to the bathroom. Shower, she thought, she’d take a shower. She’d wash away the dream and all the crazy emotions it brought up. But the emotions were also normal, she told herself. She’d been attacked by a vampire and rescued by a man she’d allowed herself to trust. She found out that the same man was also a vampire, and he had never hurt her. So, all of these jumbled emotions were just working their way through her psyche. That’s all it was.

  She stripped off her clothes and climbed under the hot spray. Closing her eyes, she stood and let the water fall on her. Her muscles began to relax as she did the deep breathing exercises she’d been taught. They were supposed to calm her, and usually, they did a good job. This time, though, all it did was make her more aware of feelings the dream brought. Aware that between her legs was an empty, nagging ache. She clenched her legs together, and sensations zinged through her body.

  Her eyes popped open, and she busied herself by pulling off the band that held the braid of her hair. Tilting her head back, she wet her hair thoroughly. The heavy mass brushed against her lower back, reminiscent of the fingertips from the dream. Why did her mind keep going there? It was normal. It had just been a while since she’d masturbated. Her body was just telling her it had been too long. She was a healthy female with needs. That’s all it was.

  Her hands closed over her breasts and rubbed. Her nipples ached, and she wondered what it would feel like for a man to put his mouth there. Instantly, the image of Charon came into her head. No. Not possible. He was a vampire, he had fangs, he drank blood. But, jeez, he was sexy and big and so…male. It wouldn’t hurt to use him in her little fantasy. He’d never know, and in her mind, he could be anything she wanted.

  She lifted her foot onto the seat built into the shower and ran her fingers between her legs. Aislinn leaned against the wall for balance as she rubbed her clit. The image of Charon appeared in her mind, and it was his hand she moved against. She pressed one finger into her body, and she felt the passage clamp around it. Slowly, she moved her finger in and out while her thumb continued to brush and play against her clit. She contemplated trying to fit two fingers in, but a small sound made her pause. She opened her eyes and found the subject of her fantasy watching her through the glass wall of the shower. The two of them locked eyes as Aislinn came.

  His mouth widened, and she saw fangs, but they didn’t scare her. In fact, it turned her on, and the thought brought her crashing back to reality. She pulled her hands off her body and looked down at the floor. She glanced up a moment later, and he was gone, but the things he’d carried were balanced on the shelf outside the shower. She eased the door open to find he’d brought her shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a razor, and body lotion.

  She grabbed them up and quickly put them to use. She wouldn’t think about what he’d seen her doing. It was normal, it was natural, and he’d walked in on her. If anyone should be embarrassed, it should be him. He’d invaded her privacy. When she saw him next, she would act like nothing had happened. No big deal.

  She showered and shaved and felt better for it. Turning off the water, she grabbed up two towels, one for her hair and the other to wrap around her body. They were both huge and covered her from under her arms to her knees. She opened the door, but stopped short when she saw Charon waiting for her. He was sitting at the end of the bed, and the two of them eyed one another.

  She decided to leap in and speak first. “Thanks for all the stuff.”

  “Joelle thought you’d need girl gear.”

  His voice was low and rubbed against her nerves. She shivered and busied herself by taking the towel off her hair. He handed her a brush, and she gave a tight smile as she started dragging it through her hair. The brush got hung up on tangles, and she pulled and yanked. Yeah, she was tired of it and planned on hacking it off as soon as she could manage.

  Charon stopped her hand and gently took the brush from it. “You’re going to rip your scalp off,” he said softly. He pulled her to sit on the bed beside him and began carefully working the brush through her hair. No one had ever brushed her hair for her, not her mother, not a nanny, no one. At least she didn’t think so, since she had no memory of it. B
ut now this large male, a vampire, sat beside her and took infinite care of her.

  Neither said anything as he worked, but Aislinn’s shoulders relaxed. The rhythmic pull and drag lulled her as well as heated her blood. The heat and scent of him surrounded her, causing her nipples to harden and flesh to dampen. She’d given herself an orgasm so she didn’t understand her body’s reaction. Usually, once she’d finished, she was good to go for another month or so, but apparently not today. Not with him.

  “I enjoyed watching you.” He spoke barely above a whisper. “Your scent makes my mouth water. When you came, with my eyes on you, it turned me on.”

  “Oh my gosh, you’re going to talk about this,” she mumbled.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, because it was hot. Were you satisfied?”

  “Yes,” she said, not looking at him. “I’m good.”

  “Then why are you wet again? Why are your nipples hard?”

  “What? No, I’m chilly.”

  “Liar,” he murmured next to her ear.

  When had he gotten so close? Why didn’t she tell him to back off?

  “Let me make you feel good.” He ran a large hand gently down her arm. “Tell me yes, Aislinn, and I will give you the best orgasms.”

  “You shouldn’t say stuff like that.”

  “But you’re not telling me no.”

  She finally turned to look at him. His eyes were such a dark brown they were almost black, but had flecks of copper in them. He couldn’t be called handsome, but was incredibly arresting with high cheek bones and a prominent aquiline nose. They watched one another until finally he backed up enough to settle her on the bed. He pulled the towel from around her body and opened it so she was naked before him. She thought he growled low, but didn’t want to ask. Whatever sound he made turned her on because there was appreciation in his eyes. He enjoyed looking at her.

  Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he leaned over her and licked one of her nipples. She jumped at the sensations that shot through her. She wondered if it was more intense, more real, since he was the first man to ever touch her this way. When she didn’t protest, he took her nipple into his hot mouth to suck and lick. Just like the dream, she thought, but so much better.

  He moved to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment. Aislinn moved restlessly on the bed, unable to stop herself from running her hands up and down his arms. But his mouth was so good, so hot, until he left her breasts and began to move down her stomach. She tried to push his head back up, but he resisted.

  “No, Irish, let me, and I promise to make you feel so good.”

  Aislinn gripped the bed sheets and allowed him to do what he wanted. Everything, so far, had been so much more than she could do for herself. She wanted it all.

  Charon was intoxicated by Aislinn’s scent, her taste. No other woman had ever affected him like this. When he was with a woman, he certainly made sure she had pleasure, but he always got off, too. This time, he couldn’t care less about himself. He wanted Aislinn to weep and beg for him. He wanted her to score him with her nails and bite his skin.

  He dragged his tongue down her stomach while he pushed her legs apart. He’d wanted to linger over her, but he couldn’t wait. He eased down to lay between her legs. The lips of her pussy were puffy and wet, and his mouth watered. Leaning in, he placed a kiss against her heated flesh, and she jumped. Smiling, he eased his tongue against her and moaned at her flavor. She was rich and ripe and his, all his.

  Aislinn clutched at his hair and pressed herself harder against his mouth. He used his tongue and teeth and lips, forcing her over into the first orgasm. But it wasn’t enough as he worked his tongue into her passage. He heard her sob out his name, and it was music to him. This was just the way he wanted her.

  Aislinn was sure she had gone blind. Nothing, nothing, had prepared her for the pleasure Charon gave her. She realized that what she’d given herself couldn’t even be considered in the same category of orgasm as this man was giving her. Did they rate orgasms like tornadoes? If so, what she was having was a constant stream of F-5 level.

  Sweat ran down her body as she twisted and thrashed. His mouth was like a hot brand that she equally tried to escape from and push harder against. As she was thrust into the next orgasm, she screamed out his name.

  “That’s right, Irish, scream for me.” Charon growled against her. “Your pussy is so sweet. I could feast on your forever. Do you want me to stop?”

  Yes, she thought, please stop. Everything he did to her was so intense she didn’t think she could take much more. But instead she heard herself say, “No, please, don’t stop. I need, I want.”

  “I’m going to give it all to you,” he said. “Open your eyes, Aislinn, watch me.”

  She forced her eyes open, and he lay between her spread legs. His face was wet, and she knew it was her essence that covered him. Holding her gaze, he eased his tongue out and touched her clit. She gasped and pulled her legs farther apart. He did it again, and this time, she also felt something large enter her body. His finger appeared wet with her, and he sucked it into his mouth.

  “I can’t get enough of your taste. Do you like my finger inside of you? Do you want two?”

  She nodded, and she felt herself spread as he eased two fingers inside of her. His hands were so much larger than hers so his knuckles bumped and scraped against the walls of her vagina. Her head dropped back as his mouth once again sucked at her clit. An orgasm of epic proportions shot through her and she grasped his hair to give her an anchor.

  * * * *

  Styx approached Kenshin and Talon as they walked in the front door. He’d picked up the call from a police scanner and immediately gone to the scene. He always monitored to ensure the paranormal community didn’t leak over into the human. They were usually good about hiding in plain sight, but this had obviously slipped by them. Or the killer had wanted it to slip by. Either way, the situation could be on the way to clusterfuck level unless they could get a handle on it.

  “What happened?” Kenshin asked.

  “Cops got an anonymous tip. They were here before we could intercept and found the body.” Styx reported.

  “So what’s the status?” Talon asked.

  “I have the cops sitting in the kitchen waiting. I told them it was just a prank call, but it’s hard since they were already on scene. The body is in the living room.”

  “Let’s take care of the police first,” Kenshin said. “Once we get rid of them, we can take a look at the body.”

  Styx led the way to the large gourmet kitchen. Two policemen sat motionless at the large table. He wasn’t the best at wiping human minds, but he could make them sit and stay where he wanted. He’d leave the heavy stuff to Talon who could make people think they’d been to the Moon and back.

  “I’ll take care of them,” Talon said. “Do you know if anyone else is coming?”

  “I don’t think so,” Styx replied. “I got here just as they were calling for backup.”

  Talon nodded and moved toward the men while Styx motioned Kenshin to follow him out. They walked down a narrow hallway and entered through a discreet doorway set into the wall. Styx imagined it was for servants to enter and leave without being seen by guests.

  They entered the room to find a dead guy in the middle of the room, face up, sightless eyes wide and staring. The throat was practically ripped out, but the blood around the body was minimal. Someone had fed well before departing. Both men crouched by the body, and Styx got his first close look at the neck wound.

  “When did this occur?” Kenshin asked.

  “I think right after nightfall. The call came in around nine-eighteen.”

  “Interesting, since Aislinn Flaherty was attacked around eleven. All of this must be connected. It’s too much of a coincidence for the brother to die and the sister to be attacked by vampires all within a two-hour span.”

  “And who’s Aislinn Flaherty? Other than this guy’s sister.”

  “She’s someone that may be like
Joelle. That could be why vampires went after her.”

  “She dead?” Styx asked.

  “No, Charon got to her in time. Apparently, he knows her. I don’t know the story yet, but she’s currently one of your roommates.”

  Talon walked in while Kenshin was talking and shook his head. “Is that what you’re calling her? A roommate?”

  “Until we have confirmation—”

  “She might be Charon’s Liaison,” Talon said to Styx.

  Kenshin huffed out a breath, but Talon cut him off. He leaned forward and smelled the body. He did it again with his eyes closed. Styx did the same, trying to figure out what Talon was scenting and just caught it. The hint, just the barest scent…but it couldn’t be. He opened his eyes to find Talon and Kenshin watching him.

  “You scent it, too.” Talon said.

  “Maybe,” Styx replied. “Let’s call Grimm. His nose is way better.”

  Talon touched the device in his ear and requested Grimm head out to their location. Styx studied the body again, especially the neck wound.

  “What?” Kenshin interrupted him.

  “This wasn’t done by a regular vampire,” Styx said finally. “Though the neck is torn, I can still see the initial puncture wounds from the fangs. They are much bigger and longer than any regular vampire. If the scent is really there, and it’s what we think, this was done by an Ancient.”

  Kenshin shook his head. “Ancient? That’s not possible. We know all the Ancients; the PIA keeps a list. The only ones in this area are Hunters.”

  “So you think one of us did this?” Talon asked with a low growl.

  “No,” Kenshin quickly replied. “No, I know none of you did this.”

  “Then there’s another Ancient here that no one knows about,” Styx said.