Shadow of the Sheikh (14 page)

He could also feel Gemma's growing trepidation.

Step by careful step, she started backing away from them, like a lamb from a trio of hungry wolves. She sought out each of their gazes, one by one. And finally whispered, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“N
o.” Gemma shook her head vehemently after Shahin's explanation of what it meant to share magic.

Nephtys wondered what planet the men were living on to think Gemma would ever go along with this idea.

“
I'll
be the one making love with you,” Shahin said. “You'll barely notice he's there.”

Nephtys watched Gemma's expression run the gamut from incredulous to petrified and back again. The poor girl had no clue what would really happen. Or if she did, the idea scared her witless. Nephtys couldn't really blame her. Gemma had only just
earned of the existence of vampires. The idea took some getting used to. Let alone this.

It was a long time ago, but Nephtys could still remember in vivid detail the full-body shock when she'd found out about vampires…and not in a theoretical way either, but as Haru-Re's fangs descended and sank into her as he took her virginity. It had been equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Okay, a lot more terrifying. And not a first time a woman was ever likely to forget.

The kind of introduction to a vampire's kiss that the men were contemplating would be nearly as shocking and intimate as her own had been.

“It wouldn't be a full feeding,” Seth assured Gemma. He lifted a hand, beckoning her to take it. “Just a taste. So you can see what it's like. For your sister.”

“No!” She snatched both her hands behind her back.

Nephtys spoke up. “The kiss of a vampire is something many women would pay much to experience,” she told her. “Immortals are used to the enhanced pleasures that love spells bring to physical encounters, but even immortals vie for the chance to be chosen as my brother's sacrifice.”

“Sacrifice?”
Gemma squeaked, though Nephtys could tell that a small, unwilling part of her was beginning to become intrigued. But not enough to
let herself be bitten. And she didn't know the half of it.

“Do you know what it's like?” Nephtys ventured. It would be impossible for an ethnographer such as Gemma not to have heard the myriad stories and legends told by the local villagers.

Gemma's cheeks flooded with color. So she had.

Nephtys hid a smile. It was sweet how she kept blushing, especially when Shahin looked at her in a certain way. As he was doing now. A look filled with heat and stark want.

“I understand it's…pleasurable,” Gemma answered.

Pleasurable was, indeed, the understatement of the century. Eating ice cream was pleasurable. Being bitten by a vampire was like being engulfed by a tsunami of sexual excitement, pleasure and satisfaction.

Shahin was looking anticipatory—if a bit shaken—at the suggestion Seth had made to share magic with him. She assumed the latter was because of the intimacy of the act with another man.

But Shahin didn't actually have to touch Seth if he didn't want to. Nor did Gemma, really, other than to let the vampire sink his fangs into some body part not in use by Shahin as they made love. The magic of doing the two simultaneously was that
Seth would feel what Shahin's body was feeling, and add his vampiric sexual powers to the mix, thereby amplifying everyone's pleasure a hundredfold. For a straight man, it was the only way to experience the explosive sexuality of being a vampire, or being with a vampire.

The powerful magic could also potentially bind a woman's affections. Whether it was Seth or another, she could be bound to the man making love to her during the vampire's bite. If Gemma released her will and succumbed to the magic, as many women did in the heat of the moment, she would never want any other man than Shahin. She would be loyal and true to him alone, and he would never have to worry about her betraying him. He was surely thinking about that part, too.

However, it was all academic. If Nephtys was reading Gemma correctly, sensual tsunami or no, she would not go for it.

Seth stepped closer to her and she took a step backward. Shahin blocked her retreat. Her back collided with his chest and he stood his ground, slipping his arms around her waist from behind, holding her loosely in place.

Seth smiled at her. “Don't be afraid, my pet. Nothing will happen if you don't want it to. You must give your permission for a blood sacrifice.”

“I won't,” Gemma said. But her voice was soft
and breathy and no longer quite so adamant. Fine trembles sifted visibly through her body.

Nephtys was sure she was still too frightened to consent. It didn't help that the men were acting like Apis bulls, when the situation called for the delicate feline touch of Bastet.

“Never mind,” Nephtys interjected briskly, salvaging the situation from potential disaster. She rose from the divan, grasped Gemma's hands and pulled her away from the men. “You can all discuss this later. It's time we ladies got ready for the banquet.”

The two men frowned at her, annoyed that their attempt at seduction was interrupted before it could even get off the ground.

Gemma looked taken aback. “Banquet?”

“In your honor,” Shahin said, recovering first. He picked up his wine goblet and lifted it in a toast. “The immortals want to welcome Khepesh's newest initiate into the
per netjer
.”

Gemma's lips parted. “But how did they know? I agreed to enter the palace less than an hour ago.”

“There were quite a few witnesses.” He shrugged boyishly. “Any excuse for a party, which can be organized in mere minutes when called for. A new follower is the best reason of all to celebrate.”

“Oh, that's…um, very nice.” But she still looked unsure.

“Let's see…” Nephtys made a whirling motion with her finger for Gemma to twirl around, and surveyed her critically. The emerald dress she had on was beautiful but not nearly formal enough for her official welcome. “Come with me. We'll go to the temple and find something more suitable for you to wear.”

Gemma shot a worried glance at Shahin. “Oh, but—”

“Go,” he urged. “Nephtys will take good care of you. I'll see you in a little while at the feast. I promise.”

The young woman's face paled a bit, but after a short hesitation, she let Nephtys lead her to the door. There, Nephtys paused and glanced back at the men. What she saw made her smile. The look on Shahin's face as he watched Gemma leave the room said everything she wanted to know.

Thank Isis.
At long last, the man was clearly in love.

 

“She's pretty,” Seth said as the door closed behind the two women. “And spirited. I like her.”

A spike of jealousy shot through Shahin. He'd seen Gemma weakening as Seth had poured on the charm. Was it honest, or had the vampire used glamour to try and influence her decision?

No, his friend wouldn't do that. Seth was not
interested in Gemma. He was only using this as a way to get to Josslyn, his true desire.

“Yes, she is,” Shahin agreed politely. “Almost as pretty as Nephtys.”

Seth smiled. “They do make quite the striking pair of bookends with all that wild red hair. They could be sisters.”

Shahin grunted. “Which is one reason I want to keep her as far away from Haru-Re as possible.”

“Yes, it
would
get awkward if he took a fancy to her.” Seth strolled over to the sideboard and topped up his wine. “But you're okay sharing her with me, yes?” He raised an enquiring brow.

“Her blood, you mean?” Shahin inclined his head in a nod. “With her consent. Just as long as it goes no further.” But he was torn and his voice must have betrayed him.

Seth's lip curled. “Afraid she'll be vamp-struck?”

Hell, as long as it was out there on the table… “Most women are, after being with you,” Shahin pointed out. “But be warned, I have no intention of giving her up.”

“Nor I of taking her,” Seth assured him. “I know enough of my destiny that she isn't an intimate part of it. My sole interest at this point is Josslyn. Nephtys thinks her vision was probably of her and not Gillian.”

Shahin nodded. “Which would make sense, all things considered.”

“I just wish we could convince Gemma I mean her sister no harm. It would be a great relief to have my future consort here in my care and not somewhere out there hiding from things she doesn't understand.”

“Hopefully tonight will do it.”

Seth made a noise of agreement, then regarded him thoughtfully. “What does it feel like?”

Shahin shot him a puzzled look. “What?”

“Being in love.”

His mouth dropped open in surprise. “I couldn't possibly say.”

“Indeed?”

Just then, there was a knock at the door and a messenger appeared. “My lord, the Lord High Council requests a quick word before the festivities.”

“Tell him I'll be there in a moment.” The messenger disappeared, and Seth turned back to Shahin. “In any case, we're agreed on our course of action tonight?”

Shahin met the high priest's eyes in an exchange of perfect understanding. They would work their magic on Gemma together, and each would gain what he wanted.

“Yes,” Shahin said. “In complete agreement.”

 

Shahin left the audience chamber still startled by Seth's question. Why in Hades would he ask
him
about being in love?

Surely, he didn't think Shahin was in
love
with Gemma?

In love?
Him?

The idea was completely absurd.

Dismissing the thought, he strode to his apartments in the residential wing that was reserved for Khepesh's leaders. He was a man of simple needs and his rooms weren't as lavish as many others, but they were a good deal more luxurious than his Bedouin tent at the oasis.

His furnishings were simple but elegant, the decor understated, the magic powerful. The apartment consisted of a generous living room and dining room, a minimalist kitchen and a large bedroom with a walk-in closet and an opulent en suite bath. The focal point of the bedroom was a tall, massive bed—the place he did most of his entertaining.

Tonight would be no exception.

But for the first time, there would be three people in the bed. If Gemma consented. At the thought of her, his heart quickened. A feeling of elation flooded through him.

He wanted this.
Not just for the immense pleasure, or for the honor it bestowed upon him, or
even to convince Gemma to help Seth find Josslyn. But because of the possibility that Gemma could be bound to him forever through the act. The idea filled him with an acute possessiveness. He wanted to own her affections with an unbreakable certainty. To know without question she would be loyal to him alone and would never betray him.

Only then would he feel safe enough to allow himself to fall in love. That was
his
fantasy.

He went to his closet and chose his favorite robes, those in deep scarlet and black, the colors favored by Set-Sutekh. Normally on festive occasions, the men of Khepesh wore colorful breeches, boots and tunics fashioned in the style of the desert nomad, along with a floor-length, flowing
bisht
of the finest silk. This evening, Shahin decided to dispense with the tunic. His bare chest would be prominently displayed under the open cloak, a statement to all that he was out to impress his chosen lady. The immortals of Khepesh were a randy lot and would appreciate such a blatantly erotic gesture. Their speculation would raise the level of sensual energy flowing through the room, which would already be high in celebration. It couldn't help but have a seductive effect on Gemma.

He wanted her in his bed tonight. And not alone.

He wondered what she would wear to the feast.
Nephtys had heard their plans for tonight and given her blessing to the sharing of magic. She would no doubt dress Gemma in something provocative. With any luck, she would also cast a spell of physical awareness over the garment. All to enhance the mood and their chances of success.

After making sure the bedroom was well prepared for his guests, Shahin bathed and dressed and headed for the grand hall.

As always, the pure darkness of the midnight-black banquet hall was pierced by the sparkle of ten thousand tiny candles placed on the long tables, and reflected by the million glittering diamonds that spangled the void of the ceiling above in a pattern of the stars of the Milky Way. Set-Sutekh was the Lord of the Night Sky, Guardian of the Dark Universe, and this room did him true homage.

Unencumbered by the dimness of the room, Shahin worked his way through the crowd of
shemsu
that had gathered in haste to celebrate the
per netjer
's newest initiate. He greeted his many friends and received congratulations and hearty backslapping for his role in her acquisition. He felt proud of her and was eager to show her off to them.

And that she belonged to him.

“What's this?” one of his spies said, indicating his bare chest with a grin. “The woman has you
shedding your clothes already? I can't wait to see this beauty. Maybe I'll steal her from you!”

“You can try,” Shahin returned with an answering grin that in no way masked the note of cold warning in his tone. He felt the aura of power around his body increase, attracting even more interest. Something was up and they all knew it. An atmosphere of heightened sensuality started to brew and grow, making the air in the hall heavy and fragrant with the expectation of sex. The room sizzled with anticipation.

“You've already claimed her, I hear,” one of his old lovers said with a moue. She and her pretty companions pressed in around him, touching his arms and his naked chest with questing hands. The scent of passion swirled temptingly about them. “Does this mean the legendary Sheikh Shahin no longer accepts visitors to his tent?”

He gave them a broad smile and let them touch. He enjoyed female attention as much as the next man. “That depends on how much she amuses me,” he answered with a wink.