A Hunter's Challenge [The Hunters 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) Read online

  Gasping for breath, he looked into her eyes and felt himself drowning in their brown glow.

  He pulled her over and impaled her on his hard cock. She threw her head back, exposing her neck. He could see the vein pumping in time to his thrusts.

  With a mind of their own, his fangs slid out and he moved his head to sink them into the throbbing vein in her soft throat. She screamed in pleasure as he drank. He felt her move her head forward. His hand began to rub her face and she caught a finger in her mouth. He felt her bite down on it very hard with her sharp canine tooth. Ecstatically she began to drink.

  Suddenly he felt it.

  He felt his blood trickle into her mouth through their merge. Immediately he had no control. His orgasm burst into her, filling her with his seed. Erica groaned then he felt her come as well. She called his name as his finger dropped from her mouth.

  Merged together, the act of feeding had sent Erica skyward. She squealed his name as the combination of feeding, his mouth on her breasts and fingers in her pussy made her climax hard.

  Falling back to the pillows, her heart racing and panting, Erica looked at the man she loved more than life itself. He carefully licked her bosom, then his shoulder before looking down at her.

  His voice was husky with passion and love as he murmured, “Iubită.”

  Just that one word filled her with every wonderful emotion, their merge telling him exactly how she felt. He settled alongside her, cradling her head on his arm.

  Erica let her eyes grow heavy. Anthan knew she wanted to stay awake longer but was fighting a losing battle. Anthan settled her deeper into his arms and that would be the last thing she remembered until she woke later in the morning to find Anthan sprawled asleep alongside her.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Erica spent the day organising the move. She’d contacted removalists the day before, and they would move everything over to Anthan’s the following morning. They were picking things up early this afternoon and she had arranged that they would deliver them at eight in the morning, when Anthan would be awake to help.

  Amy rang her early in the morning and Erica suggested she come over and help. Half an hour later, Amy arrived.

  Erica raced over to her sister and kissed her. She held her at arm’s length.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I am. I have never been so terrified in my entire life but thank god it’s over. I should have been more careful but I was distracted and just thought it was someone trying to steal my car. I never thought it was the vampire!”

  “I can’t believe both of us have been taken? I hope it’s all over now.”

  Amy shivered. “Me, too. It was the most horrid thing I...I was so stupid not to let Martin make an exchange. The whole time I kept thinking I would never see him again, never see you. I was so angry with myself as well as being terrified. I knew if we had made one exchange he could find me.” She started to cry and Erica held her tight. “I really thought I was going to die.”

  “Ssh now. It’s all over.”

  She felt Amy nod. The two girls cried together for a while then Amy pulled back and looked at the ground.

  “We made an exchange.”

  Erica giggled. “At last.” She blushed. “Anthan and I have made three. Do you know it takes five? Anthan told me all about it. It wasn’t like what Gram told us.”

  Amy groaned.

  “I feel like our lives with her were all based on lies.”

  “I know. So do I. I loved her dearly but I just wish I could understand why she had to lie to us.”

  “Guess we’ll never know, unless. Did you keep her journals?”

  “Not sure. I have a box of her papers and things. Never went through them, maybe they’re in there. We can check when I get all my stuff over to Anthan’s.”

  “Are you happy? I mean I know because we are destined for our men then we fall in love but it’s all so fast!”

  “I know, but I feel like all my life I’ve been waiting for this. I finally feel complete. I keep having this weird thought from when I was a child that I knew him. I can vaguely remember dreaming about this man who would be important to me and something about sunshine.” She shook her head. “Anyway, I don’t want to spend another day apart from Anthan. What about you, sis, how do you feel?”

  “The same. I’m just not as brave as you.”

  Erica laughed at her sister.

  “I don’t think its bravery, more like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that were missing and now they’re found. Now they’re fitted together perfectly. As soon as I saw him, I just knew.”

  She cocked her head thinking.

  “Actually even before then. The night before when Martin was telling us about him, I felt my heart pounding. I wanted to see him, I wanted to hold him. It’s hard to explain. But I just knew I had to help him. It was those weird feelings from my childhood only so much stronger.”

  “Martin thinks it’s because you are such a strong psychic. He thinks, because of who Anthan is, you were made so you could save him.”

  Erica looked at Amy thoughtfully. She shrugged.

  “Who knows?”

  “Erica, are you going to convert?”

  Erica laughed unexpectedly.

  “I doubt I could hold back. Sis, all I want to do when we make love is bite and well... I guess there’s no chance of not converting.”

  “I want to, but I didn’t want to if you were staying mortal.”

  Erica gave her a hug.

  “The way things are going I won’t be mortal for much longer. Maybe Martin was right, maybe this is because of who Anthan is. All I know is that I feel like I have to be immortal, have to be with him. It’s like there is something really important I have to do and to do it I need to be immortal.”

  Amy looked at her sister. She was so strong, so brave. Erica grinned at her.

  “Come on, let’s get packing.”

  “Do you have some boxes?”

  “I have a lot of empty tea chests and cardboard boxes stored in the garage. Should be enough.”

  The two women spent the morning packing. The removalists turned up at 2:30 and by 3:15 everything was in the trucks ready for the morning except for a case of clean clothes for Erica to change into. She collapsed onto a couch alongside Amy.

  “Thank goodness that’s done! Even though most of the stuff here stays I’m surprised at how much I had.”

  “I’m going home to shower.”

  “Don’t forget you’re coming to Anthan’s. He is going to wake that poor man tonight. I’ll make something for us all to eat.”

  Erica picked up the case and the two women walked out to their cars. Erica kissed her sister good-bye and watched her drive off. Erica went back inside to pick up another box, filled with things from the bathroom cabinet, then did a quick run-through in case she had forgotten anything. She would need to do a clean of the house, but basically everything was done. She then locked up the house and drove to Anthan’s.

  Anthan had given her the keys to the garage and a remote so she was able to park her car inside. On the way to Anthan’s, she had dropped in to a local Indian restaurant and picked up some Vegetarian Korma, a tofu Vindaloo, red lentil curry, some chapattis and rice. She hoped the boys liked Indian. If they didn’t they would just have to eat the rice.

  Packing the food in the fridge to reheat later, Erica thought it would be good to have some decent pots to cook with. Anthan’s one tiny saucepan and the little frying pan were almost useless. At least he had a jug.

  She glanced at the clock on the stove. It was just before four.

  She would have a shower, no—instead she would soak in a bath. Her muscles felt tight after all the packing. She went downstairs and checked on the stranger, then grabbed the bag with toiletries in it.

  Going into the bedroom, she saw Anthan was still sprawled out asleep. She walked into the bathroom and turned on the taps. She put some Muscle Relax soak crystals in the bath. Pulling out a towel, she rolled it up and p
ut it on the end of the bath to rest her head on.

  Erica coiled her long hair into a bun on top of her head and clipped it with a butterfly clasp then stripping off, she sank into the luxury of a large tub with hot water and soothing crystals. Lying back with her head on the towel, she shut her eyes and relaxed.

  Eyes closed, Erica was dozing when she felt something tickle her nose. She wriggled it, it left. A few seconds later, it was back, so she brushed it away. It was bloody annoying, she was so relaxed.

  Damn it was back!

  Opening her eyes, she let out a scream.

  Anthan was perched on the side of the tub and was using a feather to tickle her nose. She had thought he was still asleep. He grinned at her, she splashed him. He stood, waved his hands down his body, and then naked climbed into the tub behind her.

  His long legs either side of her body, he pulled her onto his chest and nibbled her ear.

  His hands began to fondle her breasts until in no time at all, her nipples pebbled, standing hard. He tweaked them and Erica leaned back into him. He pulled them harder. It felt like there was a direct link from nipple to clit. She couldn’t hold back her moan. She could feel his cock, hard against her back. He dropped his hands lower to spread her legs apart, one hand nestling and pushing his fingers into her channel.

  With the other hand, he began rubbing her clit and she had no control. Her orgasm swept over her and she called his name.

  She linked minds with his. When he felt her body stop spasming, he lifted her, twisting her body to face him, then lowered her onto his cock. Impaled, he let her rock back and forth, his buttocks rising and falling in time with her movement.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, I love this.”

  “Oh god, feel that?”

  “There?”

  “Yes.”

  “More.”

  “Harder?”

  “Yes there.”

  “Ah fuck.”

  “Want more. Bite me.”

  Anthan needed no further invitation. He leaned his head forward to sink his teeth into the soft swell of her breast. As he did, he reached up and cut his shoulder. Erica almost pounced on the tiny rivulet of blood.

  Neither had any control. As soon as they felt the other begin to drink, they both climaxed. Erica grabbed his cock tight and held it fast as she felt him spurt his load deep in her while she drank.

  She fell forward when his fangs slipped from her flesh. Drained, she felt his arms wrap around her, rubbing up and down her back. Still linked, she knew his heart was racing as fast as hers. Anthan carefully lifted her and settled her back in the water against his chest. She laid her head on his shoulder.

  Seriously she heard him say. “I’ve never asked you if you want to convert but Iubită we have made four exchanges.”

  “I know, but honestly I can’t help myself. Each time we make love I want to taste you, want to sink my teeth into you. It’s crazy but true.”

  “Not crazy, I feel the same way. Nu o meritam unul ca tine te iubesc. I love you so much.”

  Erica twisted in his arms to look at him. “And besides I feel I have to, Anthan, it’s like there’s this urgency telling me I must convert as soon as I can.”

  “Well whatever the reason I’m glad.”

  Erica settled back against him. She felt she could lie in his arms all night, but she knew the others would be arriving soon and they had to wake their mystery guest. Reluctantly she turned back to looked at him.

  “Amy and Martin will be here soon. Unfortunately, I think we better get out.”

  He just grinned at her and pulled her back to kiss her again. Setting her back, he rose. Erica thought she would never tire of seeing his gorgeous body displayed naked before her.

  “I would stay naked but I doubt your sister would approve.”

  She laughed at him.

  “I’ll have to be careful what I think around you.”

  “Don’t. I love it.”

  He held out a hand and helped her out of the bath. Wrapping a towel around her, he gave her another kiss then dried and dressed himself before rubbing her briskly with the towel.

  “Damn I left the case with some clothes in it in my car.”

  “Is it in the garage?”

  She nodded and gasped when he disappeared, only to reappear with the case in his hand.

  “Smarty!”

  He pecked her cheek and carried the case into the bedroom. Erica followed, she quickly dressed and they walked out into the kitchen. She was about to make a coffee when she heard a car pull up.

  Erica called out to Anthan. “They’re here!”

  He had walked out onto the deck and came inside when he heard her call. Anthan kissed Amy and greeted Martin who said.

  “Let’s do this now. I want to get it over. I’m worried how he will be.”

  They all trooped downstairs and entered the bedroom.

  “He looks so much better.” Amy sounded surprised.

  “He does, still he’s been asleep healing for three days.”

  Anthan moved to the head of the bed and carefully examine the man.

  “How are we going to do this? He’s going to freak out no matter what.”

  “I know Martin.” Anthan ran his hand through his hair and across his forehead. “Oh well, guess we play it by ear. Ready?”

  Everyone nodded.

  Anthan place his hand on the man’s head and gave him a command to wake slowly. He stood back. As they watched, the man’s breathing began to increase. They could see his eyes moving back and forth under his lids.

  Erica took his hand when he began to tense his body. He tried to pull it away but she hung on, trying to send comfort through her touch.

  He stilled.

  Suddenly he opened his eyes. He looked at Erica. His eyes widened. He stared and stared at her as she smiled down at him. He looked to his left—Amy gave him a shy grin while Martin, standing behind her with his arms around her waist said quietly.

  “Welcome back.”

  He looked back at Erica. She nodded her head and squeezed his hand. He looked right. Anthan had knelt down and was at face level.

  “Hi, how do you feel?”

  The man looked at Anthan as if he was insane. His eyes began to swing wildly from side to side. He ripped his hand from Erica’s, covered his face and screamed.

  It tore through the air.

  It was so visceral, so gut wrenching, that the listeners felt their stomachs’ jump in response. Erica had tears running down her cheeks. Amy had blanched by the power of that cry. He screamed again and again and again.

  Anthan touched his arm. The man flinched but Anthan keep his hand there. He sent thoughts into the man’s head. Thoughts of calming, thoughts of safety, thoughts of relaxing.

  Gradually the man’s screams lessened. He began to cry.

  “You’re safe now. Do you understand? You’re safe.”

  He looked frantically at Anthan, trying to grasp what he was saying.

  “Safe?” He croaked.

  Anthan nodded. “Yes safe.”

  Softly Erica spoke. “Can you tell us your name?”

  He looked at her. He gave his head a little shake as if trying to get his thoughts in order and make some sort of sense.

  “Take your time. You’re safe.”

  He tried to clear his throat.

  “Would you like a drink?”

  He nodded. Amy said she would get something.

  She returned with some fruit juice, holding it for him. Anthan supported his head as he drank thirstily. He nodded his thanks. Anthan pushed up the couple of pillows behind his head so the man was sitting more upright. He looked to be in his mid-forties, but it was difficult to tell. His face was bruised from the beating he had sustained. The Hunters had repaired the breaks and reduced most of the swelling but all the bruises were already well entrenched.

  If he had been healthy, it was easy to see he would be a very attractive man. His hair was light brown and his eyes
were a bright blue.

  The stranger looked around the room around.

  “What...no where I am?”

  “In my house. Near Scarborough on the coast.”

  He looked puzzled. They could see he was trying to comprehend what they were telling him but his mind was having trouble assimilating it. Once more Erica asked him his name. He looked at her, a little confused.

  “Name?” He frowned as if trying to remember. His voice was rough and husky.

  “Ken. It’s Ken.” He sounded surprised. “I’m Ken Greaves.”

  “That’s great. I’m Erica and this is my sister, Amy, and her partner, Martin. The man alongside you is my partner, Anthan.”

  They all smiled at him. He sank his head back into the pillows. Anthan looked at Erica, an unspoken thought passed between them and she nodded. Erica took Ken’s hand and asked, “Ken can you remember what happened to you?”

  His eyes went wild once more. He started and tried to shrink into the bed and curl up.

  “It’s okay. Remember you’re safe.”

  “A dream.” He gasped. “A nightmare.”

  He looked at Erica and she smiled at him. For a few minutes, he closed his eyes when he opened them he looked around the room and took a deep breath.

  “It was real.”

  “Yes, Ken, it was real.”

  He started to cry.

  “What was it? What?”

  “How long back can you remember?” Anthan drew Ken’s attention to him.

  “I don’t know. It seems, it seems so long.”

  Martin whispered something to Amy and left the room. He came back five minutes later.

  “I checked the police report, it’s him. Same name. Over two weeks!”

  Anthan whistled. He was surprised Ken was still alive, more importantly, still sane.

  How to get him to talk? He knew Ken would need to deal with a lot of things in the next few hours that he may not want to hear or may not believe.

  “I’m not sure where to start Ken. Maybe we can start with who would be missing you so we can let them know you’ve been found.”

  “Are you the police?”

  Anthan shook his head.