OnsetofDanger (23 page)

His strokes remained long and leisurely as her passion
smoldered. Then he grasped her hips and increased the speed and depth of each
thrust. She pushed up against him, taking his entire length with each drive. He
felt massive inside her, filling her as no one else could.

He slipped one hand between her thighs, accessing her clit
from the front as he drove into her again and again. It only took a few skilled
strokes of his fingertips to trigger her orgasm. She cried out and arched
violently as her core pulsated around him.

The sensations were still ricocheting through her body as he
wrapped his arms around her and stretched out on his back. She blanketed him,
her back to his belly, her legs spread wide, arms raised above her head.

As the pleasure gradually faded, she realized he was still
hard inside her, but he seemed in no hurry to find his own release. He caressed
her boldly, exploring every inch of her skin. He worked her nipples into
diamond-hard points before caressing her torso and belly. His fingers only
grazed her mound before moving on to her thighs.

“Touch yourself,” he urged. “I want to lie here and relax
while you bring yourself pleasure.”

She tensed, excited yet embarrassed by the directive. He
couldn’t see her but he could feel each shiver, each ripple as her arousal
built. He grasped her hand and brought it to her sex, pressing her fingers into
the slick cleft which enfolded his cock. She traced her delicate folds, felt
how tightly they stretched to accommodate his thickness.

“How in the five hells did you get all that inside my ass?”

He chuckled. “Would you like a demonstration?”

“Not tonight,” she whispered, but she was no longer afraid.
She trusted him implicitly, knew she was safe in his arms.

“Then make yourself come.”

“Yes, Sir.”

She touched herself, circling her clit with one hand while
she pinched her nipples with the other. She’d never thought of her nipples as
particularly sensitive until he’d taught her how to trigger the sensations. She
tightened herself around him and closed her eyes, picturing her body draped
over him, brazenly open with his cock deep inside her, joined as they were
meant to join.

His hands gripped her hips and he began to rock, holding her
up so he could move. She continued the tender assault on her clit, feeling the
distant slide of his shaft beneath her fingertips. Her shoulders rested on his
chest and she braced her feet against the bed as he thrust up into her.

“Come!”

The harsh command sent excitement spiking through her body.
One firm tug on her clit launched spasms of pleasure deep into her abdomen. She
gasped and trembled, caressing his cock with each deep convulsion.

He lifted her completely off him and turned her around then
laid her back across the bed. She bent her knees and opened wide as he arched
over her body. The face-to-face position was sweetest of all. He thrust back
into her and she framed his face with her hands, guiding his mouth down to
hers.

Their lips clung and their pelvises rolled, their bodies
moving as one. She allowed her fangs to form then pricked her tongue and
offered him her blood. He used the same sharp point to reciprocate and soon
their tongues spread the rich mixture through their mouths. His taste thrilled
her, exciting her symbionts as nothing else could.

His pace sped, his hips pounding fast and hard between her
thighs. He ripped his mouth from hers and threw his head back as a fierce cry
tore from his throat. Strigo fire blazed from his eyes and blood smeared his
lips, yet she had never wanted him more.

Through the blazing intensity of their mutual lust threaded
tenderness and soul-deep longing. This was so much more than physical. They
shared emotions and energy as their bodies joined. They were mated body, soul
and mind.

Suddenly his hands moved to frame her face and his
shimmering gaze drilled into hers. “I love you and always will.”

“I love you more.” She smiled, feeling blissful and free.

His mouth returned to hers and emotions surged into her
mind. The threads of tenderness expanded, blocking out the physical need until
only pure, radiant joy remained. She opened her soul and shared the depths of
her love in a language clearer than the spoken word.

He thrust into her one final time and allowed his control to
snap. Pleasure radiated out of him, spilling into her along with his hot seed.
She gasped into his mouth and followed him over, shuddering violently as waves
of pleasure crashed over them both.

They clung together, savoring the tingling heat as the
intensity gradually mellowed. He rolled to his side, taking her with him, his
cock still deep inside her. She opened her eyes and smiled sleepily. “I’m
feeling much less aggressive now.”

He laughed. “Yes, but are you sleepy?”

“Not particularly. What did you have in mind?”

He drew her leg high onto his hip and cupped her ass. “More
of the same or perhaps a variation on the theme. There are lots of positions we
haven’t tried yet.”

“Lead on, my love. I’m entirely at your disposal.”

He leaned down and nipped her neck then whispered, “Glad to
hear it.”

* * * * *

Bronik quietly dressed and slipped from the bedroom just
before dawn. He felt warm and content but not sleepy. Maybe if he confirmed
that everything was ready for the mission he’d be able to sleep soundly. He
paused with the door ajar and looked at Eloise. She was sprawled on her
stomach, sheet tangled around her hips, the slender line of her back bathed in
moonlight.

Tenderness swelled within him and he shook his head. He
hadn’t gone searching for his mate, certainly hadn’t expected her to show up
wielding a whip, but every molecule of his being knew this was real. They were
meant to be together, come what may.

He eased the door shut and hurried down the corridor,
scanning as he went. Alexi was in the basement with two other Strigo hosts and
a human. Had they located Edrick’s accomplice or were they enjoying one of the
new recruits?

Accessing the basement by the staircase in the back corner
of the kitchen, Bronik sent his signal ahead and let Alexi know he was
approaching. One of Edrick’s guards motioned Bronik into the large storeroom. A
human female had been tied to a metal chair. She looked disheveled but not
abused. The host beside Alexi looked familiar but Bronik couldn’t think of his
name. A video camera sat on a tripod, likely to record the human’s testimony.

“Any luck?” he asked when the other two continued to stare
at the female in brooding silence.

“She didn’t know much,” Alexi muttered. “Even under
compulsion she offered very little.”

“She confirmed that Edrick had accepted an offer from Tara
to arrange Alexi’s assassination,” the other man argued. “That little fact is
pretty damn important.”

“This is Jerome, head of Edrick’s security,” Alexi
introduced, apparently sensing Bronik’s curiosity.

He nodded toward Jerome then asked, “The lab was supposed to
have been an ambush?”

“Yes, but she doesn’t know how Tara set it up. We might have
another spy or Tara might have slipped the false information to someone who was
completely unaware.” Alexi raked his hair with his hand and sighed. “She also
has no details about the actual ambush. She really is nothing more than a
messenger.”

“And a bribe,” Jerome reminded. “She was stashed in one of
Edrick’s rentals and it was obvious what he’d been doing to her.”

She followed the conversation with hostile eyes but said
nothing.

“She walked up to Edrick bold as brass after a meeting a few
days ago,” Jerome explained. “I wasn’t sure if she was an old lover or what.
Edrick ordered me into the car, so I didn’t hear their conversation. They just
spoke for a minute or two and then Edrick sent her away, so I didn’t think much
of it.”

“She called him two days later.” Alexi picked up the tale.
“Edrick claimed someone was snooping around one of his rentals and he needed to
go check it out. Now we know who and why.”

“Is Edrick still denying everything?” Bronik asked.

“He’s refusing to speak, period,” Jerome said.

“Attempted murder is more complicated than an actual
assassination.” Bronik smiled at Alexi and added, “I’m glad the plot failed,
but what are you going to do with
Uncle
Edrick now?”

“If Tara hadn’t been mind-wiped, I’d be dead. Edrick’s life
is forfeit.” The regret in Alexi’s gaze made it obvious he was still struggling
with the outcome.

“Edrick is a Yeager. You’ll need your father’s approval
before the sentence is carried out.”

“I know.” He heaved another weary sigh and rolled his
shoulders.

“And what will you do with her?” Bronik wasn’t sure why he
cared enough to ask.

“We’ll scrub her memory and release her. Edrick will stay
locked up until I hear back from Strigoia Prime. Now we can focus on the
rescue. Inatta was elated by the news.”

“Have you chosen the team members? We’ll need at least eight
and each must be able to teleport not only themselves but others.”

“Jerome helped me with the selection. Everything is ready to
go.”

Bronik nodded as he felt dawn’s inevitable pull. “I’ll see
you at sunset.”

* * * * *

Dusk cast its hazy light across the front yard of Edrick’s
estate as Bronik stood assessing the hunters Alexi and Jerome had selected.
Eloise stood quietly at his side, watchful yet unobtrusive. The hunters seemed
competent and experienced, but would they be obedient with their leader in
chains?

“What’s going on with Edrick?” Brandon asked, inadvertently
answering Bronik’s question. Bronik didn’t know the hunter well but he was one
of Edrick’s favorites.

“I have reason to believe he was working with Tara,” Alexi
told the hunter.

“With all due respect, sire, can you be a little more
specific? I’ve known Edrick all my life. There’s no way he’d betray Strigo
strain.”

Alexi tensed and Bronik thought he wouldn’t answer. The
prince wasn’t used to being questioned by anyone. His chin came up but he
finally responded, “Edrick’s phone records led me to the human female who
brokered the deal between Edrick and Tara. According to her compelled
testimony, Edrick agreed to lead me into an ambush. Fortunately for me, Tara was
unable to follow through with her side of the bargain, so the ambush never took
place.”

Jerome stepped forward. “I witnessed Edrick’s first meeting
with the female and her interrogation last night. This isn’t a power grab by
Prince Alexi. Edrick is a traitor.”

Brandon accepted the explanation with a tense nod. “I
apologize from my boldness, and I’m glad his plan failed.”

“So am I.” Alexi smiled. “Now Bronik needs your attention.”

Brandon clasped his hands behind his back and faced Bronik.
“Attention!” His deep voice snapped through the cool night and the others
assumed a similar pose.

“We have two primary targets so we’ll need to split up.
Alpha team will take the lab while Bravo secures the surveillance hub and
corridor guards. We need to strike fast and prevent anyone from triggering an
alarm.” Bronik quickly indicated which hunters were on which team. “Alexi will
lead Alpha and I’ll take Bravo. There are several empty cells that can be used
to secure the staff. Once they’re locked up we’ll evacuate the captives.”

“How many captives are there?” Brandon asked.

“Twenty-three, so we’ll have to flash them out in shifts.
Eloise will help keep the captives calm and organized. Questions?” No one spoke
up so Bronik said, “Then Alpha team, you’re with Alexi. Bravo, follow me.”

Taking Eloise by the hand, Bronik flashed to the prison,
outside the surveillance hub. The hunters followed his signal with effortless
skill. They materialized in formation, back-to-back. Once they were certain the
hallway was secure, two hunters headed down the corridor, looking for the
rotation guards.

Bronik pushed open the door to the hub and rushed inside,
followed immediately by the other two hunters. He yanked the guards away from
the control console, making sure they didn’t trigger an alarm. The guard on his
right twisted out of his chair, baring his fangs as he landed on his feet
facing Bronik. The other guard darted toward the door. Knowing the hunters
would catch the runaway, Bronik kept his attention focused on the first guard.
Bronik used a sharp uppercut to muddle the first guard’s thinking then forced
him against the opposite wall.

Hisses and growls erupted behind him, indicating a similar
fight. Still, he kept his attention focused on his quarry. The guard lunged for
him, claws fully extended, so Bronik propelled him back with a blast of energy.
The guard hit the wall
hard
. His eyes glazed then rolled back in his
head and he collapsed onto the floor at Bronik’s feet.

The hunters had subdued the other guard and taken him out
into the corridor. Bronik dragged his guard into the hallway as well.

A clatter and then a loud grunt drew his attention farther
down the hall. Eloise faced off with one of the rotation guards. She kicked and
jabbed with hypnotic grace, obviously in control of the conflict. It never even
occurred to Bronik that she might need assistance. This was obviously her
natural element.

She jump-kicked the guard in the gut and he sank to his
knees, arms crossed over his abused abdomen. He muttered a curse and tried to
maneuver his feet beneath him.

“Stay down,” she advised, warning clear in her sharp tone.

He raised his hands, face red as he said, “Yes, mistress.”

She picked up the guard’s gun and tucked it into the back of
her jeans.

Pride unfurled within Bronik as he watched her. Strong,
intelligent and beautiful—what more could he ask for in a mate?

Alexi and his team had taken over the lab with similar ease.
The scientists walked down the corridor with their hands locked behind their
heads. Bronik and Eloise checked everyone for weapons, phones and radios and
then locked the guards in one cell and the scientists in another.