CHAPTER THREE
Vincent had been in such a fowl mood when Jade had returned that evening after discovering Drake, that she didn't dare question him about what she had witnessed. In fact, she had been trying to avoid him for days now so that he could not read her thoughts.
But Vincent's mood was growing more intense every day, and Jade finally realized it was Drake's presence in the area that Vincent must be sensing. And that would explain why he had been keeping her and Raye so close to him. He felt threatened by this other vampire, Jade concluded.
Jade had never seen Vincent like this, and he frightened her with his cold dark stares. His ankh she wore around her neck would grow warm against her flesh whenever Vincent was trying to delve into her thoughts.
She was near exhaustion one evening after a brief trip into the village to feed. She had managed to convince Vincent to let her return to the manor early, while he and Raye remained in the village.
The gruesomeness with which Vincent had finished off their innocent victim tonight had disturbed Jade. It was difficult to hide her anger with Vincent�her anger at him for not telling them it was possible to feed without killing. But if she had confronted him on the subject, he would demand to know where she had heard such a thing. No, she could not risk that yet.
She entered the manor and slowly made her way into the main room. The fire was still going strong, so she poured herself a glass of wine, hoping to erase the taste and the memory of the pour wench Vincent had chosen tonight. She removed her cloak and settled on the sofa. She pulled the decorative clip from her hair, releasing her long dark tresses, and rested against a pillow in the corner of the sofa. She closed her eyes and soon felt more relaxed. Thank goodness she had a few moments away from Vincent tonight!
She had found excuses of late, to refrain from any sexual interaction with Vincent. But that also meant she had not been able to enjoy any special time with Raye. And now, in the stillness of the moment, she felt the ache deep within her loins.
Her thoughts drifted to her sweet Raye. A little smile played across her lips when the image that flashed before her was that of Raye completely nude, sprawled out on her bed. But the image then became fuzzy, as she focused on a handsome dark figure standing over that bed, looking down. When the figure on the bed came back into focus, it was herself laying nude on red satin sheets, with Drake staring down at her!
She shook her head, trying to erase the images. But in her tired state, she didn't have much control over her own thoughts. And she couldn't ignore the tingles that danced within her body as she let her thoughts run wild.
Without even realizing it, she was unbuttoning her blouse a bit and letting her fingers lightly brush over her breasts�down her stomach�and further down until she had grabbed a handful of fabric from her skirt and began raising the hem. Her hand had every intention of making its way to the warmth between her thighs, as she allowed the image of herself and Drake to writhe on her bed together, both completely naked now.
She was a very sensual woman who hungered for that sweet release. It had been too long! And her little fantasy was unfolding so nicely�she heard herself let out a soft whimper and moan. The heat from deep inside her was growing�she swore her skin actually felt on fire. But suddenly she felt the pain of scorching heat on her throat�coming from the ankh�and her eyes flew open to find Vincent staring down at her, his faced distorted with anger as his eyes flashed red.
Jade quickly pushed her skirt back down. Her fingers fumbled trying to button her blouse, but Vincent moved much quicker. He yanked her from the sofa with such force she was dizzy. He held her firmly in front of him. She could feel his fingers dig into her arms, bruising her flesh, and she feared he may eventually break her bones.
"TELL ME, JADE! TELL ME WHO HE IS. AND WHERE HE IS!"
"Please�Vincent�let go. You're hurting my arms" Jade struggled, but to avail.
Vincent stopped yelling, but his grip did not lessen around her arms.
"Let go?" he smirked. "You want me to let go, Jade? But according to your little fantasy, you are hungry and ripe for sex". His anger got the better of him again and he slapped her across the face harshly. "You will submit to me here and now, Jade". He let go of her just to prove he could still control her without physical force. She stood trembling, frozen in his gaze as he began to slowly undress himself, an evil laugh escaping his lips.
Yet somewhere from deep within, she felt strength building�strength she had not felt before when facing Vincent. Something was urging her out of the manor tonight.
Just as he lunged towards her, she heard a deep voice telling her to fight back. Whether that voice was her own inner strength, or that of outside forces, she did not know. But it didn't matter. He would not have his way with her this time, even if she had to fight to her death.
He laughed when she first struck him and moved out of his reach, but she could tell she had caught him off guard. He grabbed her arm, but she managed to make a pivot turn and kick him with all her might, right in the groin. He was surprised, and injured this time. But she knew he would recover in moments, so she ran with lightening speed out of the room and out the front door. She could hear him yelling behind her.
"JADE!! You will be DAMN sorry you ever made the choice to challenge me! I will seek you out and make your life a living hell!!"
Jade ran from the dark manor as fast as she could, the sound of Vincent's anger growing fainter while the force of �something� continued to urge her onward. She could only hope Vincent would not hurt Raye tonight.
She was scarcely aware of her surroundings as she entered the now sleeping village. Only a few faint sounds could be heard from the tavern as it began to shut down.
She soon found herself in a dark alley, still running, her thoughts spinning, when she ran directly into a strong dark figure, knocking the breath out of her. She gasped loudly, ready to fight, assuming it was Vincent. She felt strong arms wrap around her, pinning her arms to her sides.
Her raven locks were covering her face and she could not see well in the darkened ally as she struggled. But finally he spoke, and the voice she recognized startled her into stillness. She glanced up as he brushed her hair away from her face, still holding her tightly with the other arm for fear she would strike him at any moment.
"Jade�Jade�.calm yourself! Tis I, Drake." his words were commanding yet soothing as she stared into his deep, dark eyes...her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.
He could not help but gaze downward and take in the beauty of those breasts in the low cut, disheveled blouse she wore. The very edge of one rosy nipple was visible to his hungry eyes. He had fed earlier, but not in the way he would have preferred, and he was especially hungry for the closeness of a woman. And this was quite a woman he held against him now. The curves of her body were now tight against him, and the scent of her was so arousing he could barely control his lustful urges.
Jade finally caught her breath and shook the confusion away, struggling again to free herself from his clutches. "Let me go!" she demanded, almost hissing at him.
He laughed teasingly at her, which only angered her more, but he finally released her and enjoyed the site of her straightening her clothes and covering that hint of a nipple.
Jade could not deny the sensations being so near to him had caused. She could not decide whether to slap him, seduce him, or run away as quickly as she had come. She blushed furiously when he answered her thoughts�. "Seduce him!" he teased.
She was furious. "The gift of reading minds should be used when hunting or defending oneself, if needed, and NOT to invade privacy! You are��" and she paused as she searched for the words to complete her sentence.
He moved closer again, but she backed away quickly. Unfortunately, there was a cold stone wall directly behind her and she found herself pinned between that wall and this man that confused her even more than Vincent did.
"I have been thinking of you, Jade. Just as you have been thinking of me�longing for me. I called you to me tonight." he pressed her tighter as he spoke.
She started to protest as his lips moved closer, crushing hers on contact. She continued to struggle, but her body soon betrayed her mind as the tingles shot through her like lightening. His long tongue forced her full lips open, exploring her mouth as his body crushed tighter against her. She could feel his desire for her, even through the clothing.
She was no longer sure if she was struggling to escape, or writhing against him in a desperate dance of desire. But HE knew, and he answered her pleas over and over�his strong hands exploring her body�savagely ripping her under clothing away bit by bit until she was completely exposed to him, her skirt rolled up around her waist, her blouse completely open, her lovely breasts highlighted by the moonlight.
He stepped back to admire his prize of the evening, his hungry gaze taking in the luscious beauty before him�but only for a moment. He refused to give her time to think about this. His lips traveled down her slender throat, gently nibbling the area he would have bitten were she not one like him. Her moans and whimpers encouraged his every move.
He bent to take a dark, hardened nipple into his mouth, sucking it hard as he fondled her other breast roughly. His other hand moved behind her and downward, finding the delightful curve of her tight cheeks, pulling her tighter against him as he grinded his still clothed erection against her pubic bone. The hunger in his loins was stronger than ever as he continued to suck that delicious nipple, barely scraping over it with one sharp fang�tasting a succulent drop of her blood, which only increased his aching need for her.
He released the now tender nipple and his lips moved to her ear. "I must have you NOW, Jade." She moaned as his hot breath danced over her skin.
She whimpered again, scarcely aware when he reached up and forcefully yanked Vincent's ankh from her beautiful neck. It fell silently to the ground, Drake grinding it into the stones with his boots, unknowingly.
Within seconds, he had freed his manhood from the confines of his clothing, and was claiming that which he desired to be his, thrusting himself deep inside her secret garden with increasing urgency while bringing her more sexual enjoyment than she had ever felt.
Their orgasms were strong and numerous as he crushed her against that wall. They lost all track of time and of their surroundings as they reveled in their sensual union. But suddenly Drake released her and gazed upward into the sky, which was now turning from black to various shades of blue and light gray.
He kissed her mouth again, and stepped back to take in the vision once more before her clothing fell back into place. "Come, Jade. Sleep with me, this day." He gave her no time to protest as he whisked her away to an old abandoned building. They eased into the dark casket he had hidden there, giving in to the heavy deep slumber as soon as the lid was closed.
Darkness would return to them soon. And when it did, they would remain in that casket by choice, and slowly explore and discover one another's treasures all over again�and again�and again.