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

  “I just remembered, with all that has happened I haven’t shown you the studio. Come on.”

  Taking her hand, he led her down the deck, grabbing a key hanging near the back door. Taking her along the pathway to the studio door, he unlocked it and turned on the lights.

  He had put her boxes that she’d marked “photography” in one of the rooms. Erica looked around amazed. Two rooms were huge, the third was smaller but all were filled with light. The smaller room had running water and a lot of built-in cupboards.

  “Well what’d you think?”

  “It’s fabulous! I love it.”

  “That’s good. I thought you could have one room and I’ll have the other. This smaller room we can share.” He felt embarrassed as he continued. “I actually have written a few books, only for Hunters, on strigoi.”

  She wandered through. Anthan had bought all his art gear into one room. He had propped up the portrait against one wall. When he looked at Erica, she had tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “Don’t cry, Iubită.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just...I. If I hadn’t come that day.”

  “But you did.” He put his arms around her. “You knew, you always knew,” he marvelled.

  She twisted in his arms so she could see his face.

  “I did. When my parents were talking about the things I’d said as a child, I finally remembered it all. I remember feeling the sun burning me. I remember seeing you. Well, not you exactly, but this figure. Holding their arms out to me, calling for help. I remember pleading with the person to come out of sun.

  “I remember feeling pain and a feeling of being lost and alone.”

  She shivered and looked into his face suddenly frightened.

  “How could I know?”

  “I don’t know, Iubită, all I do know is that you saved me that day and you’ve saved me every day since.”

  “It’s so scary in a way, so weird. Makes me wonder just exactly what I am.”

  “I spoke with Viorel. He can’t find any reference to a mortal being able to telepathically speak to any Hunter. You’re unique.”

  Erica just laughed.

  “I couldn’t contact any of you until we made that first exchange. Then it was if I was plugged into the World Wide Web of Hunters.”

  Anthan kissed her neck.

  “Come on, let’s go back inside. I have this overwhelming urge to make mad passionate love to you.”

  “Oh you do, do you?”

  “Most definitely.”

  “Well, I guess I could let you. Mind you I’m a one-of-a-kind gal.”

  “Oh believe me, I know that.”

  Anthan swept her up into his arms and carried her from the studio. She leaned her head on his shoulder, her arms around his neck.

  He looked at her held tight. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

  “No. But I think you should.”

  “Wicked woman!”

  “Ah but you love me, you just told me so.”

  By now, they had reached the bedroom. Anthan stood Erica on the floor, stripped her, then deposited Erica in the middle of the bed and quickly removed his clothes. He was about to climb on the bed when Erica held up her hand to stop him.

  “Let me look.”

  “Look?”

  “I love looking at your naked body.”

  Anthan laughed and began posing until he had Erica in fits of laughter. He fell onto the bed, pulling her to him.

  “You’re not supposed to laugh at your mate!”

  “I’m sorry but you looked so silly.”

  “Silly?”

  He began to tickle Erica until she screamed for him to stop. He ignored her, then began to make sure his fingers tickled some of her more sensitive spots. Her laughter quickly turned to panting as he began rubbing up and down her damp channel. Leaning down, he took one pebbled nipple into his mouth. Erica tangled her fingers in his hair, holding his head against her breast.

  Anthan felt her merge with him.

  He pushed one, then two fingers into her. Hooking them around, he found that rough area again and began to rub and push against it. He could feel her legs begin to quiver as she tightened her muscles against his fingers. She shouted his name as she came.

  Anthan wanted desperately to sink his fangs into her but knew it would be their fifth exchange. It was too late in the night to risk it. Telepathically he heard Erica moan, knowing she, too, wanted to drink from him.

  He dropped her nipple with a sweet pop and began kissing her instead. He felt Erica’s hand wrap around his hardened member, guiding it between her legs. Anthan pushed against her, sinking his cock into the warm moist slit. He heard her mewls against his mouth as he increased his thrusts.

  Erica tried to match them, lifting her buttocks in time. They became frenzied as he felt his own climax building. Merged with Erica he felt her grip his cock tightly. The friction of her holding him tight as he tried to push deeper sent him over the edge and he roared as he pounded harder.

  With Anthan screaming her name, Erica was lost. She began shouting as her own orgasm overtook her. She pulled him tight against her body, holding him inside her as she tensed and flexed her muscles.

  Finally sated, they lay back.

  She was idly rubbing his chest, while Anthan ran his hand up and down her arm. Cuddled together they lay contently.

  “I so wanted to bite, Anthan.” She giggled.

  “Me, too. Tomorrow night, let’s plan for tomorrow night. It’s so hard to hold back. This week has been hell, trying to make love and not drink from your wonderful body.”

  “Oh hell yes! But I’m scared though.”

  “I’ll be with you the whole time, Iubită, you will never be alone.”

  “I know. It’s just such a big step. Don’t get me wrong, it’s what I want. It’s just a bit scary leaving one life behind and beginning another.”

  “Iubită, I still can’t believe I found you. And soon you will be with me for all eternity.”

  “What will you do once there is no more strigoi in the area?”

  “Well if there’s still one we’ll get rid of it, although I haven’t seen any suspicious deaths reported, then we can do whatever you desire. Martin will be assigned here now he has found Amy. Me—ha, they let me do whatever I like.”

  “Are you really considered royalty?”

  “I guess so. Does it bother you?”

  “Not sure. I mean Martin and Dragoş are the only Hunters I’ve actually met. Is that why Dragoş and Nicoleta bowed to me, why they called you ‘Lord’? I suppose it will be weird when I met others. At least Martin doesn’t, I mean Martin treats you like a big brother most of the time.”

  “He is a good man.”

  “Can I still continue my photography?”

  “Oh, Iubită, of course. You can do whatever you want, whatever pleases you. We’ll have obligations, I mean I will. I must still hunt the strigoi wherever I find them. But most of the time we can do whatever you wish.”

  “Of course you must hunt! But the fact we can go wherever is good. I have a client who wants photographs of volcanoes at night. I’ve been trying to put him off. I still have this ridiculous fear of the dark.”

  “I’ll be with you, my love. We can travel the world photographing them.”

  Erica propped herself up on her elbow and look at Anthan.

  “Really? Anywhere?”

  “Anywhere.”

  She grinned in delight. He felt his heart leap at her joy.

  “Come, dragostea mea, you need to sleep. It’s late.”

  “Yes, it’s been a long day, a long week really. I’m so happy Anthan. I’ve found you. You’ve found my parents and my relations. Tomorrow I’ll be immortal.”

  “Don’t forget you also have more relations, living in Romania, there are some in England and I think Dragoş said there are a few in the US and France. We can visit them all.”

  Erica snuggled tighter against Anthan, her head on his broad chest. Anthan lo
oked down at her. He watched as she fell asleep.

  Her hair and his were twined together. They were joined in almost every way and tomorrow they would take the final step.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Erica was edgy all day. The knowledge that tonight she would take the final step in becoming an immortal was making her nervous. She rang Amy, they talked for a while then Erica decided to sort through some of the boxes.

  She went into the studio and sat on the floor, the opened boxes all around her. She couldn’t stop smiling, thinking about having this lovely room to work in. Once Anthan was sure there was no strigoi left in the area, she wanted to make a start on the volcano collection then she would accept the commission on the tiny possums.

  Anthan assured her they could travel on any of the Council planes. She decided to that as soon as he said it was safe here, she would ask him to take her to Hawaii. She spent the rest of the day, cleaning her cameras and checking equipment. Anything to take her mind off what would be happening tonight.

  After a few hours, Erica went back inside. She went downstairs and found the box containing her grandmother’s papers. Rummaging through, she found a few old battered journals.

  Settling cross-legged on the floor, her back against the wall, she began reading. Erica found they were mostly filled with wild ramblings. Mostly about monsters in the dark and how she, her grandmother, had to protect her daughter and granddaughters.

  She found the oldest one. It talked about going home with Madeline. How her family forced the truth from her. She had run away again, determined to make sure her child never came into contact with Hunters and vampires. It was easy to see through the words that her love for Dragoş had swiftly become hatred for both him and everything that Hunters stood for. Erica found herself crying. To know that her grandmother had poisoned their lives with her own twisted fears and hatred.

  She got to her feet and went back upstairs. She was surprised to discover it was 3:30. The thought of food was nauseating so she poured herself a glass of juice. Sitting out on the deck, she sipped her drink and looked out to sea. She was impatient for time to pass and dreading it at the same time.

  “Iubită? Where are you?”

  “Anthan! I’m on the deck.”

  “I missed you, our bed is cold. Come warm me.”

  Erica laughed but stood and went into the bedroom.

  “A cold bed? Gee, Anthan, couldn’t you think of better excuse to get me into bed?”

  “I did think about telling you I had a cramp in my leg but knew you wouldn’t believe it.”

  “You’re right I wouldn’t.”

  Erica climbed up alongside him. He gathered her in his arms and she snuggled into him.

  “What have you been doing?”

  “I found a couple of old journals of my grandmother. They confirm it all. She was so filled with hatred. Oh, Anthan, it was horrid reading it. How she poisoned my mother, as well as Amy and me.”

  “Hush, dragostea mea, it’s over now. We’ve found your parents, you found me. Nothing can hurt you.”

  “I know. It’s just so sad, all those years without our parents.” She sniffled and then shrugged her shoulders. “I also spent some time checking my camera gear. It all needed a good clean. I’m excited to think I can finally photograph things at night!”

  “We need to get you a desk or two so you can set things up. I really want to see your photos.”

  “I’ve been going to buy a desk but didn’t want to while I was still renting. I need a big cabinet, too. I have such a lot of lenses, cameras and things.”

  “Iubită, will you allow me to buy them for you?” Anthan’s voice was unsure. “If you would rather not, it’s okay.”

  “If you really want to.” She grinned at him. “Just be careful what you offer, I might go crazy.”

  “So what cameras do you have now?”

  “Lots.” She gave a laugh. “Actually I have a little digital camera that I shove in my bag. The ones I tend to use now are my Nikon D800 with heaps of lenses and I have an older Canon EOS. I also have some old SLRs but tend to use the digitals now.”

  “So is there any camera that you would kill to have?”

  “Of course, one of those top-of-the-range Hasselblads. They make any photographer drool.”

  “Expensive?”

  “Oh probably around forty-five grand or so.”

  “That’s okay.”

  Erica burst out laughing.

  “Okay? Hell, Anthan, I thought I was crazy when I paid four grand for my Nikon!”

  She felt him shrug.

  “If you want one I’ll buy you one.”

  Erica pushed herself off his chest and looked at him.

  “Just like that!”

  “Why not?”

  She shook her head.

  “Iubită, I’ve lived a long time. I’ve amassed more money than I could ever spend. I’ve homes scattered all round the world. Buying you things that make you happy would make me happy, too.”

  Erica felt herself start to hyperventilate. Anthan quickly grabbed her.

  “Match your breathing to me.”

  She linked with Anthan, and quickly got herself under control.

  * * * *

  Apologetically Anthan said, “I’m sorry, Iubită, I guess I could’ve explained it better.”

  “Just a little. I mean I knew you weren’t short a quid or two but... well I never imagined you’d be that rich.”

  “Oh well, my secret’s out.” Embarrassed he pulled her back into his arms. “So let me buy you things please.”

  “What about your art?”

  “What about it? I like to paint.”

  “Only for yourself?”

  “Oh I’ve sold plenty. Got a few hanging in galleries around the world.”

  “Oh wow! When can we go see them?”

  It was Anthan’s turn to laugh. “We’ve plenty of time. Volcano first then galleries. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Funny how things turn out. When Gram died, she left the house to Amy and me. Amy bought her house but I had this feeling that I shouldn’t buy anything. I just rented. I kept most of my stuff in boxes, ready to move.”

  He kissed her head. “My one-of-a-kind girl.”

  While they had been talking Anthan had been playing, he had pushed his hand between her T-shirt and skin. Now he found that Erica’s nipples were getting harder and harder each time he brushed across them. He forced his hand up underneath her bra and lifted it, letting her full breasts spill free.

  Pushing her onto her back, he lifted her shirt and took one in his mouth while he teased and pulled the other. Erica pushed a hand between their bodies to grasp his growing member.

  Anthan wanted more. He lifted the shirt over her head and then undid the bra. Sliding her jeans down, he kissed her mound through her panties then slid them off. He sat back on his heels and looked at her lying languidly. Her eyes half closed, her mouth slightly open.

  He loved looking at her. Her body was so full of soft curves and glorious padding. Those gorgeous full-breasts, she was all woman—lush and cuddly, all his woman.

  He went to lie beside her when she pushed him and he lay on his back. Erica began kissing his chest, licking each nipple then working her way down his body. She licked his navel then traced the line of hair leading down to his erection. Grinning wickedly, she lowered her mouth onto it and began moving on it. Anthan managed to grab one of her legs and pull them apart. He pushed a finger into her, then a second. She began moving up and down on them in time to sucking his cock.

  He used his thumb to press against her clit and was delighted when he felt her legs quiver and heard her moaning over his cock. He wanted more, he wanted to be inside her.

  He wanted to taste her blood.

  Pulling her back up to him, he kissed her soundly, his tongue forcing its way between her teeth. He kept increasing the pressure on her lips until they were both panting. When they parted he quickly sank his teeth into he
r neck, drinking her delicious rich thick blood.

  One hand was running up and down her cheek. She grabbed it and bit down hard on the pad near his thumb. He jerked in surprise as he felt her little canine pierce the skin. They both drank until Anthan needed to feel his cock inside her.

  Pushing her onto her knees, he grabbed her from behind. He held his cock at the entrance to her pussy then slid in. Holding her hips, he pulled her back toward him then pushed her away.

  She got into the rhythm as he made love to her. Anthan couldn’t believe how wonderful it felt. He pushed harder and harder, thrusting deeper and deeper. His balls slammed against her skin. Erica started to scream as he felt her muscles grip him. He tried to push harder, pulling on her hips to draw her closer.

  The feeling of her muscles spasming, her legs quivering, sent Anthan flying. His cock twitched and he spilt his load deep within her, screaming her name as he came.

  Erica collapsed onto the bed. Anthan fell alongside her, their faces turned to each other. She gave a grin through the heavy breathing. Anthan kissed his fingers then held them to her mouth.

  “Love you so much, Iubită.”

  They lay together. Anthan was amazed that each time they made love it was better than the time before. He guessed they were both still learning each other’s bodies. He smiled to himself thinking of the centuries to come. Of making love to her, of waking with her beside him.

  “What are grinning about?”

  “You. How much I love you.”

  She smiled back. “I love you, too. More and more with every day.”

  “So when do you want to go on your photography expedition?”

  She gave a little shrug. “I guess when we know there are no more strigoi here. Am I right in that Martin will be assigned here so he’ll be able to keep a check on things?”

  “Yes, he’ll stay here. Mind you, he’ll have the State to watch. Viorel said there is another Hunter with his mate in another state, they’d cleared out a nest there recently.”

  “Wow. Let’s hope things stay quiet for Martin and Amy. I just hope there are no more vampires in this area.”

  “Me, too. I’m still a little concerned there may be but in a few more days we’ll know for sure. I know it’s been over a week but if it’s taken someone who lived alone and is psychic there wouldn’t be any body located.”