Dance of the Vampires Cornelia Amiri One of Ian’s six brothers kicks over the stones of an ancient cairn, unknowingly freeing Sorcha and her six sisters from underhill. The seven handsome Scots are enchanted by the voluptuous temptresses until they turn on the men. Ian captures Sorcha, giving his brothers a chance to escape. With the dark fey woman still in his grasp, Ian is saved by the rising sun. Her sisters vanish with the light of dawn and Sorcha is trapped in the mortal realm. The seductress can’t resist Ian’s attentions as he stirs throbbing urges she’s never felt before. Ian is bewitched by the wild delights offered by this vampire siren. He can’t get enough of her. Still, her wicked sisters and his highland brothers want nothing more than to attack and kill each other. Will Sorcha and Ian’s sizzling passion prove strong enough to overcome the differences between the dark fey and humans?
Publisher’s Note: This story was previously published elsewhere under the title Vampire Dancer, and has been expanded and revised for Ellora’s Cave.
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Dance of the Vampires ISBN 9781419939532 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Dance of the Vampires Copyright © 2012 Cornelia Amiri Edited by Raelene Gorlinsky Cover design by Syneca Photography by Shutterstock.com Electronic book publication March 2012 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book. The publisher does not have any control over, and does not assume any responsibility for, author or third-party Web sites or their content.
D ANCE O F THE VAMP IRES
Cornelia Amiri
Dance of the Vampires
Chapter One Ian wobbled out the door of the pub ahead of his six brothers. Focusing as hard as he could, pushing one foot in front of the other, he stumbled across a field in the moonlight. A clump of gorse and heather brushed against his jeans. “Brother, be careful not to step on a thistle in the dark,” Lachlan yelled in slurred speech. “I have my boots on,” Ian snapped. “Are you sure, little brother?” Malcolm, the oldest, called out. “You usually run barefoot and cry like a girl when you get a thorn in your foot.” “I was five years old the last time that happened.” Tired of the lot of them, he stomped ahead. “I’d go off by myself and leave all of you here, but someone has to lead you home.” Well past midnight, silence engulfed the field until Calin burst out laughing and couldn’t stop. “Shut up,” Angus, the middle brother, yelled. “He’s hammered.” Errol nodded his head toward him. “He cannot help it.” “Well, I do not know what’s so funny or why we had to leave right when I spotted the pretty women in the pub.” Tavish kicked a stone with his foot as he tromped through the grass with his brothers. “Because we are all drunk.” Lachlan’s body wavered, leaning forward then back. “That is why the lassies started looking so bonny to you. Those were the same ones you called old and ugly when they first came in, you bampot.” “They were old, that was Liam’s mother and aunt.” Angus grabbed Tavish’s head and jostled it back and forth. He ducked out of Angus’ way.
5
Cornelia Amiri
“Ooch!” Ian jumped back. “What is wrong with you?” Malcolm set his hand on his hip. Ian pointed to the ancient mound of stones caked over with dirt and grass. “I almost stepped on a fairy mound.” His stomach knotted. “Brother, are you afraid of a pile of old stones?” Calin threw his head back and rocked with laughter. “It’s a cairn.” Ian’s heart still thudded from the near miss. “Any who disturb it will be cursed.” “I dare you to knock it over.” Errol crossed his arms over his chest. Ian stepped back, a horrified look on his handsome face. “I will not.” “I will.” With long, sure strides, Tavish stepped toward the ancient gravesite. “Do not do it.” Ian’s belly clenched even tighter, until he felt sharp jabs of pain. Before the other six could stop him, Tavish drew back his foot and crashed it into the sacred cairn with a hard kick. A loud, sharp gasp from each of his brothers hung in the air. One lone stone rolled free of the mound. Malcolm’s mouth dropped open. “You disturbed the fey.” “You’ve done it now.” Lachlan stepped back, attempting to separate himself from the sacrilege. “He dared me.” Tavish pointed at Errol. “I had to do it, now didn’t I?” “Errol’s a turnip-headed bampot,” Calin shouted. “You too, Tavish.” “I do not like it.” Ian shook his head. “It’s sacred. It’s cursed.” The knot in his stomach froze, growing as cold as ice. “This is bad.” Angus shook his head. “Let’s keep walking.” Calin slid his foot forward with a confident stride. Malcolm bobbed his head. “We should hurry home before something happens.” “We are,” Errol snapped. “We’re in this field taking a shortcut, remember?”
6
Dance of the Vampires
“Come on.” Malcolm headed away from the disturbed monument. “Walk faster.” He took the lead as the others followed. “Look.” Ian came to an abrupt stop. His brothers froze as their gazes turned to where he pointed his finger. Seven women, all in odd dresses of green tartan silk, stood beside the cairn. Their lush, scarlet lips curved into smiles as seductive as warm kisses. Ian’s pulse hammered. Errol stepped up to them, stopping right in front of the fairy mound. “Why are girls as pretty as you wandering around McLeod’s farm this late at night?” All seven answered in turn. “Something disturbed our sleep.” “So we came to look about.” “Then we got hungry and decided to pick up something to eat.” “When we ran into you seven handsome men.” “Nice to meet all of you.” “We like to dance.” “Dance with us.” Ian gazed at the last woman who spoke. Her complexion was radiant, skin as smooth and luminescent as alabaster. Every line of her body, her long legs to her dainty feet, her ample hips to her tiny waist and curvaceous bust, her long, firm arms, slender neck, and flowing raven hair, reminded him of the lines that swirled and looped in Celtic tracery and knotwork. She was a work of art. Her gown was a silk plaid, squares of vibrant green, like the hills, crossed with stripes of beige and ivory, like the sea coast. As if sculpted to her body, the dress enhanced her curves. Gathered at the neckline with a round Celtic brooch, it was belted at the waist with a triple-corded belt of gold. The flowing silk exposed the long calves and the slender ankles of her creamy legs. She sauntered toward him with fluid strides. 7
Cornelia Amiri
Her arms, hips and breasts swayed in an entrancing rhythm. As she moved, he could see her erect nipples beneath the veil of thin fabric. His mouth went dry. He couldn’t speak. Ian couldn’t touch her. If he touched her, he would never let her go. “I am Sorcha. What’s your name?” Ian’s head spun from the whisky and he wanted to look at her and hide at the same time. His palms were sweating and his stomach lurched. He turned his head to avoid dumping the contents of his shaky belly on her. He retched. Sorcha leapt back. “What are you doing?” “Sorry, I did not mean to.” Ian shook his head. “I had one too many pints.” Humiliated, he looked away. His gaze latched onto his brothers and their dance partners. The women were doing more than dancing. Savagely, they pulled his brothers’ clothes off. Raking their nails down the men’s bare flesh, they licked and suckled their skin. It looked as if his brothers and the strange women were going to have an orgy right here in the field. He stood there gaping. He had to be dreaming. Tight pressure gripped his swelling groin as a jolt of heat shot through him. He imagined Sorcha’s tongue on the fiery bulge of flesh between his thighs. His pulse hammered, causing his breath to catch in his throat. Then a coppery smell drifted in the air. Ian tried to block out the buzz from the whisky. He squinted, peering closer at the wild escapades in front of him. He watched as Angus dropped to the ground with a thud. Where desire flamed inside him just moments before, now icy fear coursed through Ian. A woman just stood over Angus’ still form, refusing to help him. Fresh, crimson blood dripped from her full mouth and her long, sharp nails. “This isn’t an orgy.” The realization hit Ian full force. “It’s murder. They’re baobhan sith, dancing vampires.”
8
Dance of the Vampires
His shock turned to fury. He grabbed Sorcha, who still stood between him and the smelly puddle of vomit. He dug his fingers into her flesh. He didn’t care if he hurt her or not. She wasn’t human. He slammed her to the ground and leapt on her back. He couldn’t stop all of them, but he wouldn’t let this one hurt his brothers or him. He pushed with all his might, holding her arms down. She couldn’t suck his blood. A shivering wail like a cat in heat blared from her open mouth. He pushed his body onto her as hard as he could. His brothers. He had to save them. What could he do? If he got up, he’d have to let go of her and she’d kill him. Claw him to death. No. This couldn’t be happening. He wanted to fight, to help his brothers. What could he do? Really do? He’d stop this one. He could do that. “Mortal, unhand my sister.” A baobhan sith released one of his brothers to leap through the air and land on Ian in attack mode. Fighting to free Sorcha, she fiercely clamped down on Ian’s flesh, digging her nails and teeth into his vulnerable human flesh. With all his might, he held Sorcha as if his arms were steel restraints. His full weight like an anvil crushed her prone body. He’d never let her go. If he couldn’t save himself, he would save his brothers. Her six vampire sisters cawed like a flock of ravens. They swooped down, hungry, winged scavengers who found a corpse to ravage. Ian held on to Sorcha, even with all six creatures piled on top of him. They pecked and clawed but didn’t feed. Their frenzy to free Sorcha drove them more than their hunger for his blood. Ian twisted his head toward his brothers. “Get Angus to the hospital. Run.” “No,” Malcolm shouted. “Not without you.” “Then we will all die.” He couldn’t keep the pain from his voice. Raw, stinging cuts and bites covered every inch of his body. “Go now. I do not know how long I can hold on.” “We’ll get help for him. He’s lost a lot of blood.” Tavish lifted Angus’ still body over his shoulder and met Ian’s gaze. “We’ll come back for you.” 9
Cornelia Amiri
His six brothers fled. The baobhan sith let them go. They were all clawing and grabbing at Ian. He shut his eyes and grappled at Sorcha with all his might, but his body weakened. His muscles screamed from the strain and the pain as the six vampires continued to attack him. He’d die before he’d let them pry him off her. Sorcha’s muffled screams and threats aimed at forcing him to free her fell silent, as she must have grown too tired to shout. Exhaustion engulfed him and it was a trial just to breathe. Still he held onto her, resisting the assault of her sisters with every last ounce of strength he possessed. It seemed as if all was still, as if he didn’t breathe or hear anything. He felt as if he was looking on, watching the attack. This is how people die. This is it. Any moment I will meet my death. He had no idea how much time had passed, but his mind and body were overcome with the vampires’ abuse. He felt his fight against them had gone on much longer than one night. The sadness of knowing he was dying overcame him, like being buried alive in an ice-filled bog. They were killing him, and there was nothing more he could do to stop his death. The sky grew brighter. The weight of their bodies lifted off of him. He raised his head as the deadly enchantresses vanished as if they’d never been there. Except for Sorcha, still struggling beneath his hard body. The sky was ablaze with a pink, orange and saffron sunrise. “I’m alive. Saved by the sun.”
***** His spirits soared as he heard the sound of an automobile engine. Then Malcolm called to him. “Ian, are you all right?” “You came back.” He stayed on the ground with Sorcha beneath him. The only thing keeping her alive was him. If the sun shone directly on her, she’d turn to ash.
10
Dance of the Vampires
“We would never leave you behind, brother. Let the baobhan sith up so the sun will fry her.” “I cannot let her die like that.” Her sisters were gone. She posed no threat alone with five of his brothers here. “My sisters shall avenge my death. All your brothers will be killed,” Sorcha managed to yell as he lay on top of her. “I am trying to shield you from the sun’s rays so you will not die, you fool.” He could barely speak, he was so drained of energy, and he would not stand for both her and his brothers fussing at him. He needed rest first. “What are we to do with her?” Lachlan swaggered forward with Errol, Tavish and Calin following him. Ian held onto Sorcha. “First, tell me about Angus.” His brothers each answered in turn. “He’s at the hospital.” “He lost a lot of blood.” “They gave him a transfusion.” “To heal him.” “They’re keeping him today for observation.” “He’ll come home tomorrow, maybe tonight.” “Good.” Ian sighed with relief. “One of you get a blanket to wrap around her. It’ll keep her safe until we get her home.” “What will we do then?” Tavish rolled his shoulders back. “She needs to sleep. My bedroom’s dark enough with the blinds drawn.” A voice in his head said it was a bad idea, keeping a vampire in his bed, while another part of him thought, It could be fun. “I don’t know how Mum’s going to feel about this.” Tavish shook his red head.
11
Cornelia Amiri
Soon one of them draped a blanket over him and Sorcha and he slipped out from beneath, leaving her covered. His brothers rolled her up in it and carried her to the truck. They laid her inside. Her voice reached beyond the layers of blanket wrapping. “What are you going to do with me?” “We’re saving your life, though I don’t know why.” Errol clambered into the bed of the truck. “I don’t know either. You damn vampires nearly killed Angus.” Calin climbed in with them and sat next to her. Lachlan and Tavish settled in the back with her and their other two brothers as well. With Ian in the passenger seat, Malcolm took the wheel and drove to the house. Once Malcolm pulled the truck to a stop, everyone climbed out except for Sorcha. Ian's brothers pulled her out, still captive in the blanket, and carried her to the front door. Once inside, careful not to let their mother or father know, they sneaked her into Ian’s room and dropped her on the bed. When his brothers left, Ian shut the door to his room, and with one fluid motion yanked the blanket off her. Her skin was red as if she had begun to burn. “You are safe here. There’s a wee bit of light coming through the windows, but it’s dark enough. You’ll find the bed comfortable, it’s mine.” “Am I? Safe here?” She pushed herself to a sitting position and put one hand on her hip. “Why here?” She looked at him intently. “Why not leave me in the sun to die?” His brothers had asked him the same thing. “I could not leave you to burn to a crisp. Even if you are a baobhan sith, I would not do that to anyone.” As he gazed into her gleaming eyes, he knew he could never hurt her. He felt an unexplainable need to protect her. He didn’t know why. “I had to give up my bed for you, I couldn’t ask one of my brothers to do it.”
12
Dance of the Vampires
“My sisters attacked your brothers and I meant to do the same to you.” Lines crinkled her forehead and her lips parted in a baffled expression. “Yes, that you did, but it seems it’s the nature of the baobhan sith.” “You do not blame me?” Her brows arched as she stared at him. “We all had a bad night. Tavish did kick over the cairn, but he’s going now to right the stones so your sisters cannot get free.” “As long as the rocks stay in place.” She cocked her head. “You know of our ways, then.” “My grandmother told me stories of the fey.” Ian rubbed his chin. “I’ve never met a baobhan sith before, though. Wasn’t sure you were real.” Excited at having a real fey in his bed, he felt a light, energized sensation coursing through him. “Tell me though, with your sisters gone and you left alone above hill, what will become of you?” She shrugged. “I’ll be all right if I can stay out of the sun.” She slid her hand to her mouth and nibbled on a nail. “You rest. I’m going to check on my brothers and see if my Mum has breakfast for me yet.” He found it hard to tear his eyes from her and leave the room, but he knew it was best. He and his brothers all worked the farm and it would be left to them one day. His mother cooked for them though they were grown, just as she’d cook for farmhands. That was not to say that they weren’t all spoiled by her and her good cooking.
***** He left, shutting the door behind him. Sorcha clutched her stomach with her other hand, trying to calm the churning sensation. She hoped she didn’t retch like Ian had. She nibbled harder on a nail. Why had she chosen him last night? Now she was caught by a mortal, alone in their world. His brother yet lived or surely they would have killed her.
13
Cornelia Amiri
Even now, she didn’t know why they let her live. Though grateful, she didn’t trust these humans. No fey did. They could stick her out in the sun to burn away at any time. Her stomach rumbled as the deep, rich scent of Ian’s blood danced in the air. She fought her hunger, yet his blood smelled so full and sweet. The cairn had been in place so long, then last eve they were finally free to come above hill. The first man she saw was Ian. Though usually more interested in what the men she fed on tasted like, she’d gazed at Ian, drinking in the features of his oval face, his high forehead, the firm chin and those compelling azure eyes. The few days of unshaven fuzz on his face and his tousled hair added a rugged look to his handsome features. The man looked good, for a mortal. All her sisters would yell crazy at her if they knew a flame flickered in her when she peered at that beckoning gleam in his eyes. When he stood or sat near her, Sorcha’s skin felt coated by warmth and tingled as if he stroked her flesh. Her six siblings weren’t here and couldn’t interfere unless something happened to that cairn. She should be terrified, abandoned above hill with mortals, but the craving she had for Ian’s flesh, more than his blood, consumed her. She longed for the feel of his hot, firm flesh against hers, to taste his lips as they touched hers for the first time. He had become sick before she could run her tongue over those full lips and tug and nibble on them. With Ian on her mind, hungry to eat him up, she sank into the soft bed. She pressed the heels of both hands over her tired eyes. A weary, drained sensation from Ian wrestling her to the ground and the effects of sunlight overcame her. With the image of Ian in her mind, she let out a deep sigh as sleep took her.
***** Ian headed to the kitchen for tea and porridge. As soon as the burnt smell of deepfried oil and the thick, meaty scent of sausage assaulted his nostrils, his mother and father assailed his eardrums with questions. “Ian, what happened?” His mother clutched her apron, twisting it nervously.
14
Dance of the Vampires
He poured a cup of tea. As the warm steam tickled his nose, he wondered if he should offer Sorcha some. “Do baobhan sith drink tea?” “I don’t know, Son.” A tinge of curiosity gleamed in his father’s eyes. “Is she joining us for breakfast?” “Let the boy eat first before you go plying him with questions.” His mother playfully tapped his father on the shoulder. “Me, plying him with questions?” His father picked up his cup and leaned back while he sipped. His mother grabbed a plate from the cabinet. “I made your favorite.” “Scotch eggs.” The hardback kitchen chair creaked as Ian plopped down in it. He hadn’t realized how famished he was until he sniffed the aroma of the salty bread and sausage-battered boiled eggs. He dug his teeth into a crunchy scotch egg, taking a gulp of Earl Grey between bites. “She’s sleeping,” he said around a mouthful. “Is she now?” His mum’s eyebrows arched. “Your brothers told us what happened. You stayed to save them all. Brave you are, Son.” His father nodded at him as he set the teacup on the saucer with a clank. “Lucky you aren’t dead. The whole affair gives me the shivers.” His mother shook her shoulders to emphasize her point. His mother and father were so amusing, they kept him smiling. Still breathing and back home, he reveled in his life. He knew he had a lot to smile about. “It all began at the pub.” Ian took a sip of tea. “I’ve warned you about drinking all night.” His mother leaned her head back, squinting up at him. “Ooch, but Mum, for all the preaching folks do about it, drinking saved my life last night.” Ian shoved the last piece of scotch egg into his mouth. “You don’t say?” His father's eyebrows arched.
15
Cornelia Amiri
“I’ll tell you why.” He grinned. “These women appeared. Prettiest girls I’ve ever seen and they wanted to dance with us. We all paired off and all my brothers were dancing, but I never learned how to.” “You were always a shy one.” His father nodded. “I stood there with Sorcha, nervous and drunk. Then I retched right at her feet.” Ian drained his teacup dry and with a clash set it on the saucer. His father took a sharp breath. “No.” “Saved my life. If I hadn’t been hammered, I’d probably be lying out in the McLeods’ field, dead.” “Do not say that.” His mother clapped her hand to her forehead and her eyebrows slanted downward with worry. “Now there’s the truth of it.” His father flashed a smug smile. “I’ve heard many a man in the pub speak of how whisky saved his life.” “Have you now? And have you heard them tell of how whisky ruined their marriages?” His mum put one hand on her hip, sitting at the breakfast table. “Go on with you now. It’s foolishness and it’s because of you that he would say something like that.” Fighting to keep a straight face and not laugh, he went on with his story. “Well, she stepped back from the smelly mess and had a look at her dress to make sure nothing splashed on it. Then Angus, his blood drained, dropped to the ground. I knew then they were baobhan sith. I grabbed Sorcha and held her down to avoid becoming her dinner. Her sisters piled on top of me to rescue her. I told my brothers, ‘Save yourselves. Run.’” He flung his arm out for emphasis. “There I was, alone, with one baobhan sith beneath me and six of them on top. They bit, scratched and yanked every inch of me, but I hung on to Sorcha. I knew the moment I let go of her, I was food for the dancing vampires.” “That is what they feed on, human blood.” His father whispered the last two words.
16
Dance of the Vampires
“It’s what all the tales say.” His mother’s eyes grew larger. “Then,” Ian paused for effect, enjoying the way they hung on his every word, “just in time, when I couldn’t hold on any longer, the sun rose.” “Thank the good Lord for saving you.” His mother slapped her palm against her chest. “And the baobhan sith vanished as if they had never been there at all. But Sorcha still lay trapped beneath me. Then my brothers came to rescue me.” “It’s quite a tale, lad.” The kitchen chair squeaked as his father rocked it back on its rear legs. “One to tell your grandchildren in your old age,” his mother added. “Mind you, after you eat, dab a swab of iodine on all those bites and cuts.” “Yes, Mum, that I will.” “I do not know what to say of Tavish, though.” His mother shook her gray-haired head. “He’s too old for this type of foolishness.” “That he is.” His father finished his tea. “I can hear the whole village now. Talking about us. Saying the cairn lay undisturbed since time out of mind, until one of the McDuff lads kicked it over and let a pack of wild baobhan sith loose.” At the sound of someone rapping on the door, his mother went to answer it. “Hello, I just came to visit and I brought you one of my steak and scotch pies.” Mrs. McDuff took the offering from their neighbor. “Thank you, Fiona, won’t you come in for tea?” Once inside, Fiona turned this way and that, peering around. “I hear you have a visitor. A young woman, very bonny they say.” “Ooch, we have one of the baobhan sith here, Fiona, but she’s sleeping. It’s still daylight you know.” As soon as Ian’s mother put the pie down, there was another knock. 17
Cornelia Amiri
“I’ll get it, Mum.” Ian stood, walked over to the door and pulled it open. Mrs. Campbell from down the road pushed a basket of cabbage, carrots and turnips into his hands. “Good day, it has been so long since I dropped by. I just wanted to bring you fresh vegetables from my garden. Is your mother home?” Ian pointed to the kitchen, where the other visitor already plied his mother with questions about last night’s events. He set the basket down and turned to his father. ”We should get a lot of goodies today with all the nosy women in this village.” “Yes, it is so.” When another person banged on the door, Ian decided he felt tired and eased into his room. He lay down on the other side of the bed. Stretching out next to Sorcha's soft body, he could feel the heat of her lush flesh. She looked so serene in her sleep. Her eyes were closed, fringed with thick lashes. There was a light pink tone to her oval face. Her red lips were closed in a silent pout. He slipped his arm over her shoulder, cautious not to waken her. A warm shiver coursed through him. He snuggled against her and shut his eyes. His body relaxed, sinking into the soft bed, cuddled next to this woman, this fey with smooth skin and soft curves. The whisky he drank last night and the energy spent holding her down before dawn had taken their toll on him. He drifted into a deep sleep.
18
Dance of the Vampires
Chapter Two He awoke to a dark room. It was night. Rising on his elbow, he peered into Sorcha’s eyes. She was awake. “Good morning.” She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Well, it’s good evening.” When he looked at her face, he thought of the sun and the moon, as her skin looked bright and luminescent. Gazing into her eyes, he saw the night sky and twinkling stars. Her long, silky hair laid a trail from her face to the rest of her treasures, draping her neck and curving over her shoulders, hanging past the gold belt she wore, emphasizing her tiny waist. He shifted his gaze to her firm, high-perched breasts then to her curved hips and her long, lean legs. The corners of the sweetest mouth he’d ever seen curved into a wry smile. None of that meant anything. She wasn’t a woman, she was a vampire. She’d tried to kill him and his brothers. She moved into a sitting position in bed. “No, my day begins at moonrise, it’s morning. How are you?” “Well enough, even with the bites and bruises from your sisters.” “Do you mean to take revenge? Wound me with iron or leave me out in the sun to shrivel up tomorrow morning?” “I had something else in mind.” “What would that be?” She flashed a crooked, closed-lip smile. “Not so fast. First I must ask, do you intend to drink all my blood?” “I feel ravenous, but it isn’t your blood I’m wanting.” Her eyes gleamed with mischief, like someone with a secret. “So you’re the youngest? Your brother mentioned it.”
19
Cornelia Amiri
“I am. It hasn’t been the easiest of lives, not with my brothers. Well, you’ve met them. One of them knocked down a fairy mound last night.” Her smile deepened into laughter. “I know what it’s like. I’m the youngest of seven girls. You met my sisters, they claw the blood out of humans and drink it.” Her face broke into a goofy smile. “As do I, or as I did. I cannot since you captured me. It is the lore of the baobhan sith. There are rules.” “I have to say, it’s a relief to know you can’t drain my blood. We’re off to a good start. Your birth order is interesting. Even though I’m a seventh son, I never met a seventh daughter before.” “I have.” She tilted her chin up as her mouth and eyes lifted in a smug expression. “I know another seventh sister very well. You see, my mother is the youngest of seven girls.” “What a coincidence that is. My father’s the youngest of seven sons.” “You are the seventh son of the seventh son?” Her brows arched. “Yes.” He nodded. “You are the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter?” “I am.” She cocked her head. “No wonder,” they both said aloud at the same time. “I guess it’s meant to be.” As Ian gazed into her eyes he felt a pull, a connection to her. “We are like gorse and heather.” Her dark eyes sparkled with a sensuous gleam. “We belong together. Though I should hate you. You grabbed me, kept me from my sisters and trapped me in this dangerous place with iron and sunshine, both fatal to me.” “Well, I should want you to die. You and your sisters tried to drink all the blood from me and my brothers.” He wouldn’t let anyone or anything harm her now. His heart raced and his skin tingled as she talked. He’d the same experience in that field when she strolled up to him in her green plaid dress, her hips swaying, her breasts
20
Dance of the Vampires
jiggling, before he knew she was a baobhan sith. Even knowing what she was hadn’t changed one thing about the way his body reacted to her, yearned for her. “We should hate each other.” Sorcha licked her red lips. “It would be the only thing that makes sense.” She peered at him seductively. “I am glad I’m here with you.” “Me too.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her, though the image of her face was burned into his soul, as smooth as if carved from alabaster. A dainty nose set above full ruby lips and a flush of pink on her sculptured cheekbones. He reached out and cupped her chin. His fingers felt warm from the touch. He pulled her face to his. His kissed her chin, gentle as a whisper, then brushed his lips against hers. He pressed harder, covering her mouth with his, devouring her softness. He hungrily moved his mouth over hers. Her lips were moist and hot. A heady sensation overcame him. During the lingering kiss, he wrapped his arms around her. He felt her wrap her silken arms around his back. A jolt of heat thrust through him. The flesh at his groin throbbed as his lips tugged urgently against hers. He quivered as she ran her smooth palms down the plane of his back. He parted her lips with his and slipped his tongue inside, deepening the kiss, plundering her mouth. He flicked his tongue in and out. His pulse sped at the sound of her mewling moans. Ian eased his lips from hers. “I want you.” He peeled his tee-shirt off and tossed it to the floor. His blood rushed. “Yes.” Sorcha unfastened his belt. His cock drew tight, swelling. He ached with need as she slid his jeans off his legs. He kicked them off his feet. He watched Sorcha’s gaze drift from his chest to his hard arousal. Grabbing her waist, he hooked his fingers beneath her golden belt and unfastened it. When he gathered up the silk plaid with his hands, the sensation hit him of dipping his fingers into liquid flower petals floating in water. He slid her dress over her head and with a whiplike motion flung it to the floor. His gaze roved over her bare body. Her flesh had a sheen to it. The orbs of her breasts jutted out and the dusky pink nipples grew hard and erect under the scrutiny of his gaze. He wanted to grab the long, 21
Cornelia Amiri
loose hair tumbling down her milky skin and yank her to him. Pressure built in his groin to the point of pain. In that moment his head was full of nothing but rushing blood and a throbbing need for Sorcha, no other thoughts penetrated his mind. In one fluid motion he straddled her, wedging Sorcha’s creamy thighs between his. Ian cupped her breasts and kneaded and shaped them. A moan escaped from deep within her. He breathed in her zingy, sharp, floral scent. His senses reeled. “Kiss me.” His mouth met hers in a warm, wet kiss. He twisted his lips against hers. Ian forced her lips open with the thrust of his tongue. His erection grew harder, more rigid as he flicked his tongue in and out of her mouth. His lips left her mouth to sear a path down her neck and her shoulders as his hands still crushed her breasts hard. His tongue was still coated with salt from the scotch eggs and it blended with the wild yet delicate taste of her skin. He had to have more of her. Sorcha’s nipples tightened beneath his palms. Her skin was so hot against his hands. A shortness of breath hit him. He moved his mouth to her breasts and captured a hardened nipple between his lips and suckled. Cupping a luscious mound in each hand, he squeezed the smooth, billowy flesh. As his tongue whisked her erect peak, he fondled the fullness and softness of her breast, kneading and stroking. He lashed one nipple with his tongue as he rolled the other between his fingers. He was on fire. He slid his mouth to her other erect peak. Wetting it, he lapped it with his tongue as he nudged the other with his fingers. He caught the hardened teat between his teeth and tugged gently as he pinched the other nipple. He couldn’t breathe. Her breasts thrust forward. She let out soft mewls of delight as he squeezed, stroked and suckled her silky skin. When she arched her hips, his swollen erection pressed against her lower belly. He needed to slide down, into her wet, fiery center. Every fiber of his body pulsated with desire. 22
Dance of the Vampires
“More,” she rasped. Her palms felt like warm satin sliding over his bare back. He moaned as she pressed her fingers into his soft flesh. She ran her hands down to the curve of his ass. His burning flesh throbbed to the point of pain. He had to have her. He couldn’t hold back much longer. Had to plunge his hardened arousal into the moist center of her heat. Her soft palms cupped his ass cheeks and pressed down hard, guiding him into her. “You wild woman.” The head of his cock touched the hot, wet folds of her sex. Hot shivers rocked his body. Ready to plunge, he let out a sharp intake of breath as she swung her hips forward, which jerked his cock deep inside her, buried in her moist heat. “Ian,” she called in a breathless whisper. He quivered as she uttered his name with such passion. She felt so tight as her moist walls squeezed his cock. He filled her completely. Ian pumped his hardness into her softness. Her pussy stretched with his thrusts as she took all he had to give. Her breasts bounced and rubbed against his chest as he drove into her. Her desperate whimpers and mewls of pleasure goaded him to thrust harder, faster. He pounded his cock into her as he breathed in short gasps between groans. As he drove into her, the wet walls stretched around his erection, then clenched down tight. Expanding. Contracting. Massaging his cock as he pumped her fiery center. She drove him mad. He thrashed harder and deeper into her. She arched her hips, rocking back and forth, meeting his thrusts. She sucked in quick breaths. Ian’s heart pounded in a rhythm as wild and fast as his hammering thrusts. Ragged groans tore from his lips. The more she took, the more he had to give. With powerful, hard jabs he plunged his sex, as hard and deep as any man could, to the very end of her pussy. She cried out and shuddered beneath him. A tormented expression of deep pleasure-pain crossed her face as he burst inside her. She gasped, arched and writhed. His entire body shook as his seed spilled into her. 23
Cornelia Amiri
Ian pulled out of her and slid down by her side. He wrapped his arm around her as they snuggled. His body was drenched with sweat and he felt so sated and satisfied, then someone pounded hard on the bedroom door. “You all right in there?” his mother asked. “She hasn’t drunk you dry, has she?” He burst out laughing, then his gaze met Sorcha’s. Her eyes were wide with a glazed, lust-filled look and her full, red lips were parted. A surge of need burned through him like a wild fire. “Should I answer her? You did drain me.” He would never get enough of this woman, but she wasn’t human. He’d slept with a vampire. Not only that, but he had to have more of her. “No, that’s your mother, show some respect.” Melodious laugher spilled from her still-swollen lips. “You are hardly drained. I think you’re ready to go again.” With his arm still draped around her silken shoulders, he pulled her closer to him. He groaned as his erection pulled taut, hardening like a rock from just feeling her warm flesh against his. “What I’m thinking is, you’ve been in here all day and it’s a beautiful, clear night. Come with me on a moonlight stroll.” “Where will we go?” “Somewhere we will not be disturbed.” He swung his bare legs onto the floor and bent down to grab his jeans and tee-shirt. He caught her watching him as he pulled his clothes on, then slipped his large feet into his sneakers and laced them up. She raked her eyes over his entire body, examining the fit of his muscled flesh against his shirt and pants and shoes. His heart hammered. He knelt down and reached out to the silk gown, gathering it in his arms. As he stood, she threw back the covers. Her breasts bobbed as she leaned forward and pushed up to a sitting position. He swallowed hard. Mesmerized, he peered at her pink, flushed flesh as she swiveled toward him and swung her long, lean legs outward so her feet touched
24
Dance of the Vampires
the ground. She stood before him. Her bare body swayed as she stepped forward and stopped in front of him. He inhaled a sharp breath. She gracefully snaked out her slender arms and lifted the dress out of his hands. She slid the emerald tartan silk gown over her head. It flowed down her body, clinging to the curves of her breasts and hips. She slipped her small feet into her shoes and twirled across the floor ’til she reached the door and opened it. He walked behind her, his gazed latched onto her round ass, which she seductively swung to and fro as they entered the living room.
***** Not wanting to interrupt his mother, he waited for her to finish talking to his brother. His mother tilted her head closer to Tavish, peering intensely at him. “I’ve told you many a time not to stay out all hours of the night drinking.” Tavish held his arms akimbo. “That has nothing to do with what happened.” “Yes it does.” His mother's lips thinned and her eyes grew sharper. “Any time you have seven boys and seven girls meet up after midnight, there’s going to be some sort of trouble. Put baobhan sith with it and this is what you get. The whole lot of you are lucky you weren’t shredded and all your blood spilled.” She clasped her hands together and cast her eyes upward as if thanking God. His father arched his brow as he nodded at Tavish. “Did you set the cairn aright?” “I put the stone back, good and tight.” Tavish slipped his hand in his front jeans pocket. “Yes, but now we have a baobhan sith sleeping in our house, don’t we?” His mother huffed. “Well, she has to sleep somewhere, dear.” His father’s head went from bobbing to shaking as he added, “I do not want her draining my cows of their blood, though.” “What about your sons’ blood?” His mother spread her arms. 25
Cornelia Amiri
“Well, I do not want her drinking theirs either.” His dad cocked his head. “I’m glad to hear that.” Ian’s mother flashed a sideways look at his father. She swung her head back, spotting Ian and Sorcha. Then she plastered a big smile across her face. “So, there you two are. You’ve been in the bedroom a while.” “Mum, Sorcha and I are going out. I’m going to show her around the town.” “You aren’t going out in the night alone with her, are you?” “Yes.” As Ian walked away, he overheard his father say, “You have to be careful of what you say around the baobhan sith. They’ll sneak up on you.” “Hush, she can still hear you,” his mother said in a rather loud whisper. Ian turned and waved good night to them. His father didn’t notice though, as he was speaking to his wife. “He can show her around all he likes, but I do not want her near my cows.”
***** The cow statement was the last comment Sorcha heard before she followed Ian outside. As he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, his touch sent a warm shiver through her. Ian led her down the winding road. Sorcha tried to put his father’s comment out of her head but it hung on, irritating her like an itch in a hard-to-reach place. “I do not drink from cattle.” Ian tightened his arm around her. “Do not fret over anything they say. None of us do. Think of it as entertainment.” Sorcha couldn’t help but laugh. “We just listen to them for fun, their banter goes on for at least an hour, we call it the comedy hour.” His warm smile made her tingle. His heated gaze was intense, as if his eyes fed on her. It sent her heart racing. The warmth of his arm, draped over her shoulder, felt so warm and bracing as they walked down the road. “Why are you looking at me like
26
Dance of the Vampires
that? Like you want to eat me?” After all, she hungered for his blood, yet it seemed as if he’d become the hungry hunter and she the prey. “The smartest thing Tavish ever did—kicking over that stone.” Sorcha burst with laugher and he chuckled with her. She’d laughed so much since she’d met Ian. Still giggling, she put her arms around his neck. Her skin tingled where she touched him. His hot breath fanned her face as he chuckled. Ian’s laugh broke off. His eyes smoldered as he swept his head down and pressed his warm mouth to hers. She burned with the heat and taste of the sweet and salty wetness of his mouth. His kiss grew more demanding as he parted her lips with a thrust of his tongue. Tension coiled in the damp, needy place between her legs. She couldn’t repress the low moan that erupted from her. He released her lips and she turned her head away. Her body nearly shook with need for him, but her mind spun with turmoil. She heard a voice in her head, “Run, get away from him. He’s enchanted you. You are the fey, he’s the human, you can’t fall under his spell. Leave now. Go to your sisters’ cairn and free them. Think of your sisters, not this human.” Oh no, she thought, it‘s my sisters. They’re looking for me, reading my mind. They want to make sure I’m all right. She bit her lip as she tried to think. She gazed into Ian’s blue eyes, illuminated by the spark of passion. Her breath caught in her throat and she could barely speak. She wanted him, but… “You are human, I am fey. We should not be together. I belong underhill with my sisters. You live in the mortal world.” “We’re both here now. Together.” She thought, forget my sisters. They like it underhill. They need to stay there. With their arms around each other, Sorcha and Ian continued down the road when they heard honking from a pickup truck full of people. The driver pulled up beside them.
27
Cornelia Amiri
One of the men in the bed of the truck yelled out, “Ian, come on. We’ll buy you a pint.” Grinning, he turned to Sorcha. “These are friends of mine headed to the pub. Have you ever had whisky or beer?” “No.” She shook her head. “I have tasted those drinks in human blood, they’re a bit like heather mead.” “I’ve never had heather mead, but you do not know what you’re missing if you’ve never had a beer. Come on.” His friends pushed the tailgate down and Ian climbed in, then gave Sorcha a hand up into the truck. She sat beside him and stretched her legs out. When she leaned her back against the side of the truck, he stretched his arm across her shoulders and the back of her neck. She felt so relaxed with him. “It is like a motorized wagon. I have seen these in the mortal realm.” With one brow arched high and a gleam in his eyes, he laughed. “Are you saying you’ve never ridden in a truck before?” “We have no need for such underhill.” The girl sitting across from her flashed a wry smile. “Nice dress. So different.” “Thank you.” She noticed the girl didn’t wear a gown at all but the same type of blue pants as Ian, called jeans. I need new clothes, like the humans wear, Sorcha thought. The man with the shaggy brown hair, who’d called Ian into the truck, looked at him. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Ian nodded. “This is Sorcha from underhill.” “Underhill?” A girl in a white cardigan leaned forward. “I’m not sure I’ve heard of that. Is it near here?” Sorcha shrugged. “Fairly near, but it’s very different.” “Well, I’m Tammy and this is my boyfriend Jake.” 28
Dance of the Vampires
The short-haired man sitting next to Tammy wrapped his arm around her and said to Sorcha, “Nice to meet you.” “I’m David.” The other man brushed the shaggy brown hair out of his face. “Have you known Ian long?” Tammy flashed a bright smile. Ian and Sorcha both answered at the same time. “No.” “Ah, you’re the one we heard about.” David peered hard at her. Tammy’s and Jake’s eyes grew wider as they gaped at Sorcha as well. Sorcha said the only thing she could think of. “Well, it’s nice to meet you.” Though the ride was bumpy, it wasn’t as bad as she’d expected. They came to a stop at the White Bull. Everyone spilled out of the truck. Ian helped her down and took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. The warmth of his touch both comforted and excited her. The two who’d sat inside the truck, Rob the driver and Kate his girlfriend, introduced themselves to Sorcha. They all headed inside. From the moment they entered, people gathered around Sorcha, not gawking as she’d expected but smiling at her. Ian guided her to a table and his friends all pulled up some chairs. The barmaid served each one a frothy pint. Sorcha cupped the glass in her hand and took a gulp. The thick, heady drink held a faint taste of salt. “It’s a little different than the heather ale underhill, but I like it.” “I knew you would.” Ian reached out and pushed a wayward strand of hair away from her face. Her skin tingled from the contact of his fingers brushing softly against her temple. She liked being with Ian. Her sisters would never understand, but she’d rather be here than underhill. She glanced around the pub, noisy, warm and filled with fun. She couldn’t help but smile at the happy people. The girl with straight blonde hair, Tammy, leaned toward her. “Is it true you are a baobhan sith?” Before she could answer, Jake asked, “How did you two meet?”
29
Cornelia Amiri
By the time Sorcha finished telling them the story of Tavish knocking over the stones of the fairy mound, she’d finished her beer. One by one Ian’s chums slapped him on the back. David grinned at him. “I always knew you had it in you.” Then he turned his head toward Sorcha. “So now that he’s caught you, what happens next?” “Well, now that I’ve caught her,” Ian’s lips parted further and drew into a round shape as he peered into her eyes with the gleam of passion. “I do not intend to let her go.” A frisson of heat rippled through Sorcha. Her sisters would never understand, but she didn’t want to go. She intended to stay. “Since you captured me, I have to stay with you.” “Good.” Ian’s eyes smoldered with fire as they clung to hers. “We never did get our dance,” he rasped. “You aren’t going to throw up again, are you?” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “No, not this time.” He flashed a sultry smile at her. “Let’s dance.” He stood and reached his hand out to her. Sorcha pushed back in the wooden chair and rose. She entwined her fingers with his. As he led her onto the dance floor, she bumped into some people though she tried to squeeze by. She said, “Excuse me, excuse me,” several times before she reached the small wooden square. “Now this kind of dancing, I can do.” He flashed a silly smile. “Sort of.” Sorcha looked around. The couples were standing in front of each other, but they didn’t embrace. What type of dancing was this? Ian grinned. “Just move to the beat, kind of shuffle your feet and sway.” Sorcha mimicked Ian’s movements, shuffling her feet, bending her elbows and shifting her shoulders from side to side with the rhythm of the song.
30
Dance of the Vampires
“You’re a much better dancer than I am,” Ian said in her ear, trying to be heard over the loud music. “The baobhan sith dance.” She laughed. Ian nodded. “You’re my dancing vampire.” Sorcha picked up on the chorus to the jukebox tune and sang some of the words aloud. “Tiny dancer in my hand.” She gazed at the light smoldering in Ian’s blue eyes. He sang back, “Hold me closer, tiny dancer.” Her heart beat with the pulse of the music. Then a new song began. “Now this is a real old one.” Ian drew her into his arms. They snuggled together, moving in a slow, sensual rhythm. He sang, “Take my hand, take my whole life too.” Swaying to the music, she sang with him, “For I can’t help falling in love with you.” Just standing near him, she felt the heat of his body penetrated her already hot skin. His lips covered her mouth in a shivery kiss. An aroma, the odd mix of musk and garden-fresh cucumber, his scent, engulfed her. Sorcha suckled his wet, warm lips. Gently, he withdrew his mouth from hers. The delicious, addictive taste of his lips, which was mild yet with a slight tang, lingered on her tongue. “You have to get home afore the sun comes up.” Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he clasped her tightly to his side. She loved the warm, bracing feel of him. They walked back to the table where his friends sat. “We need a lift back to the farm.” “It’s too early for me,” Jim said. “No, you know you have to get back for the morning milking.” Ian put his hand on his hip. Jim grinned. “The cows can keep.” Ian let out a deep, warm chortle. His laughter always made Sorcha want to purr.
31
Cornelia Amiri
“Well, I’m ready to leave.” Robbie, the driver of the truck, stood. “It looks like you and Sorcha will have the back to yourselves.” Ian nodded. “We can make do with that.” She smiled at Ian as she, he, Robbie and Kate walked back to the blue pickup.
32
Dance of the Vampires
Chapter Three Sorcha’s body felt so warm and soft against him as Ian wound his arm tighter around her. He told his friends he didn’t intend to let her go, and he didn’t. For a moment though, he wondered if he was crazy. He worked and lived on his family’s farm. He couldn’t keep a woman there. He’d need to get his own place. Ian sighed. How would he afford that? He glanced down at Sorcha’s hands. Her nails were normal now, but they could transform to talons instantly. She could claw him to death quite easily. Did she really care about him? Was that enough? Could he trust her not to rip him to shreds? His heart hammered from holding Sorcha close and his erection throbbed, but his mind told him he had a lot to think about. Just as she began to climb into the back of the truck, Kate screamed. “Oh no.” Sorcha looked around. Her sisters surrounded the truck. They held their arms out in attack mode, their nails extended like a wild cat’s claws. “I see the sun did not kill you.” Tearlag swept her gaze up and down Sorcha’s body as if checking if she’d been harmed. “We have been looking for you.” Murdina turned her arm so her palm faced up. She curled her fingers, beckoning to Sorcha. “Ian shielded me from the sun when it rose.” She stepped toward her oldest sister. “How did you enter the mortal realm? They told me one of his brothers piled the stones back.” “Mine were knocked loose, perhaps by a cow or sheep. I freed the others.” Fuamnach’s eyes were bright with eagerness, proud she had helped them all enter. “We’ve been searching for you.” Mordag dropped her arms from the gesture of attack and set both her hands on her hips. “Calling into your mind.” 33
Cornelia Amiri
“You did not answer. We worried all day.” Aithbhreac shifted her arms and folded them across her chest. “Come to us.” Eimhear tilted her dainty chin in the air. “I’m glad you came for me. I thank you for that. I’d do the same for you. Please understand, I won’t come back with you.” She had to stop them. They were going to kill Ian’s friends. This wasn’t right. She’d do anything she had to for Ian. They would not hurt him. She’d kill them first. Her own sisters. “It’s not what you think, I am fine. I am happy. The human captured me. I belong to him now. I belong here. I chose to stay with him. You cannot change my mind.” “You have grown confused in this mortal realm. You cannot be happy with a human.” Murdina’s long, red hair flowed to her hips as she left the circle and walked toward the truck and to Sorcha. “I am his now. He captured me. Is it not so? I could not leave him if I wanted to. Though as I told you, I choose to stay with him. I do.” “You can leave him if we kill him.” To demonstrate, Tearlag clawed the air with her inhumanly long nails, each with a deadly point, as she parted her ruby lips and let out a loud, long hiss in warning. “Stop.” A rush of throbbing rage tore through her. “Leave. Now.” Sorcha glared at her sister, clawing her with her eyes. Then she flung her arms out. Her own fingernails extended, lengthening to talons. “I won’t let you hurt him.” She heard several footsteps and turned to see Ian’s brothers walking down the road to them, including Angus. Each moved behind one of the baobhan sith. All six brothers grasped something in their hands. An old weapon she recognized. Prepared for battle, a little flame appeared in each of their hands when they flicked on cigarette lighters and lit strips of cloth tied directly behind the tips of the bolts loaded in the crossbows they held. Dark, heavy fear swept through her, leaving her feeling empty, powerless. She began to gasp but took a deep breath, fighting her panic.
34
Dance of the Vampires
Someone had to stop this battle between her sisters and his brothers or they would all die. She had to stop it and she had to be calm to do it. “After we got Angus from the hospital, we checked out the cairn. Made sure Tavish put the rocks back, you know how he is.” Malcolm stood stiff and alert. He kept his eyes glued on his target, Murdina. “We found them kicked loose again.” “We tried to find cold iron, as the fey are vulnerable to it. We aren’t even sure what it is.” Errol held his crossbow with flaming bolt on Aithbhreac. “We brought some tire irons, just in case.” Tavish aimed his crossbow at Eimhear as he spoke. “We have a better weapon, bolts of fire should work fine.” Calin stood behind Mordag, ready to shoot her in the back. “That’s right, we’re armed this time. You know how you girls like to dance? Well, we boys grew up shooting crossbows. A hobby of ours,” Lachlan said, targeting Fuamnach. In an instant his flame went out and he lit the strip of cloth with his lighter again. “Our father taught us.” Angus looked well, all healed and as strong as ever as he kept his eyes and his weapon on Tearlag. Sorcha’s breathing grew faint, her heart rocked in her chest and her palms grew clammy. Angus aimed a flaming bolt at Tearlag, Errol stood beside him with his loaded crossbow pointed at Aithbhreac. Sorcha cringed as Tearlag leapt off the ground and soared through the air, launching herself at the foe at her side, not Angus but at Errol. Sorcha’s body shivered as she watched. Fear and anger both rioted in her. The bolt struck Tearlag. Her bloodcurdling scream rang in Sorcha’s ears. The green silk dress lit afire. Flames engulfed the material and she fell to the ground. The stench of cloth and flesh burning and the smell of smoke and fire filled the air. “No, no one shoot. Stop.” Sorcha rushed to her.
35
Cornelia Amiri
Her sisters dashed forward as the brothers all stepped back, except Ian, who ran to help them. Sorcha reached toward her screaming sister caught in flames. She grabbed hold of the bolt with both hands, with no concern of getting burned herself, and yanked it out. Her sisters bent down, scooped up handfuls of dirt and threw them on Tearlag’s flaming body to smother the fire. When the flames died, Tearlag lay on the ground, still alive and screaming. Most of her dress had burned and what was left of the green tartan silk was rags and soot. Blood poured out of the open wound where the crossbow bolt pierced her in the back. Ian peeled his shirt off and ripped some of the fabric into strips, then handed them to Sorcha. Quickly she used the large part of the cotton tee as a pressure bandage and wound the strips tight around Tearlag’s upper body to hold it in place and staunch the bleeding. “If you get her underhill she’ll heal, but you have to hurry.” Sorcha clasped her hands together, shaking them as she pleaded with her sisters. “We cannot leave you with this mortal.” Murdina threw her arms out and swung her head side to side as if torn between which sister to save, Tearlag or Sorcha. “I choose him.” Sorcha wrapped her arms around Ian and pulled him to her. Their lips touched. She felt safe in his arms, like everything would somehow be all right. She gave herself into the kiss, the world drifted away. She felt connected to Ian. No one else mattered. His brothers whooped and hollered. Sorcha’s sisters all gasped. When she eased her lips off his, she gazed into his eyes and peace filled her as he silently assured her all would be all right. She looked around and his brothers had all put out the flaming arrows and set their weapons down. Ian’s friends had piled back into the truck and driven off to safety. The sisters all lowered their arms and retracted their talons. She saw they all had short, normal nails once more. Murdina walked up to her and held out her arms. “If he makes you happy, then we are happy for you.” Sorcha flung herself into her sister’s embrace. They released their hold on each other. 36
Dance of the Vampires
Fuamnach stepped to her. “He seems like a good man, for a human.” She wound her arms around Sorcha in a warm hug. Mordag came to her. “We will never forget you. Take care of yourself.” She wrapped her arms tightly around her, then stepped back. Eimhear strolled to Sorcha. “Best wishes and bright blessings, sister mine.” She swung her into the circle of her arms. When she stepped back, Aithbhreac came forward. “Have a happy life.” She gathered Sorcha into her arms and held her snugly. Then she let go and they all turned and looked at Tearlag. As the wounded sister lay on the ground, she smiled through her pain and told Sorcha, “Farewell, I shall miss you.” Murdina knelt down by Tearlag’s head and Fuamnach and Mordag on either side of her upper body, with Eimhear and Mordag at her legs. Sorcha watched with teary eyes as her sisters worked together, lifting their sibling and carrying her toward the cairn to travel back to the world underhill. Flashes of scenes, memories, filled her. She recalled giggling with her sisters as they spoke of what gods were the most handsome and who they most wished to share their bodies with at the Samhain festival. She remembered all her sisters helping one another wind flowers in their hair, then dancing together at the Beltane festival. She smiled as she recalled picking golden apples in Avalon with her sisters and asking the wise Salmon silly questions to see if they could find one he couldn’t answer. This might well be the last she’d see of them. She waved her arm and called out, “Farewell and blessings with you.” With his arm still wrapped around Sorcha, Ian asked. “Will she be all right?” “She will heal in full in the otherworld. It looks like your friends left in the truck.” “They had to go. They didn’t get along well with your sisters.” Sorcha burst out laughing. He chuckled with her as his brothers gathered around.
37
Cornelia Amiri
“This is a crowd.” Ian waved his arm in the air. “We will meet you at the house.” “We’re going into the pub for a pint, then.” Malcolm led the rest of his brothers toward the White Bull. Ian took Sorcha by her hand. Warm tingles rippled through her arm at the contact. He led her down the winding road. “We have time before sunrise, I want to show you a special place.” They strolled across the road to a nearby field, where an ancient megalith stood. The delicate fresh scents of gorse, heather and wild thistles wafted in the soft evening breeze. Sorcha shivered at the feel of his hot hands as he cupped the sides of her head and turned her to him. He gazed intently into her eyes as he grabbed her waist. In one fluid movement, he unfastened her belt and dropped it to the ground. She gasped as he yanked her dress over her head and tossed it on the grass. As she watched him unfasten his belt and tug his jeans off, her body and mind agreed that Ian should take her now. Sorcha raked her gaze up his long, lean, muscular legs. Her gaze slid to his groin. Her pulse pounded. Sorcha gaped at the rigid, veined length of his full erection. “Big.” Her gaze stroked every inch, from the mushroomed head down the long, straight staff and over the masculine girth, which thickened under the scrutiny of her eyes. “Your cock.” She burned and throbbed in the damp private place between her thighs. “It’s gorgeous.” “Thank you.” He flashed a wild grin. “I aim to please.” She gasped at the double meaning of his words. Still breathless, her gaze clung to the hard, rippling muscles of his chest, lightly powdered with golden whorls of hair. She burned as he jerked her against him. His mouth covered hers. Sorcha could taste, smell, feel the raw hunger in him. It mirrored the same longing in her. As his lips stroked hers, she yearned to have his big, thick, powerful cock stroking her inside. His hot hands slid down her back. She moaned as he grasped her shoulders and nudged her back against the hard, standing stone. Her skin prickled as sensations of fire 38
Dance of the Vampires
and ice swept through her. She squirmed as he trailed feathery kisses down her arm. Taking her hand in his, he slipped his wet mouth over her finger and sucked. She shivered with pleasure. One by one, he slid his mouth up and down each finger of her hand. His tongue felt smooth and warm upon her skin. Moistness pooled between her legs and her heart hammered. Sorcha quivered as his wet mouth found her breasts. She let out a soft mew as his lips pinched her nipple. As he suckled the erect peaks, spirals of heat surged through her. He cupped a breast in each strong hand. She closed her eyes and gave in to the fire consuming her. She moaned as his wet tongue whisked her nipples. She felt her breasts bounce as he kneaded and stroked them. In all the long years of her life, which stretched to time out of mind, she had only seduced men for want of their blood. To feed. Never before had she felt a hot breeze blow inside her when she looked at a man. She’d never been unable to take her eyes off a man before. Her breath hadn’t ever gone shallow as her heart raced so hard and fast she thought it would leap out of her chest. Those moments she lay covered by Ian’s body as the sun rose, the rays must have got to her brain somehow and damaged her. It had to be that. She had a hunger only he could quench, and it wasn’t for his blood but for the way he made her blood boil. Needing him to take her, to fill her full. The seductress had been seduced, and it was the most incredible, breathtaking, heartrending night of her long life. She slid her hands up to his silky hair and pulled, winding it around her fingers. Sorcha didn’t even try to hold back the deep, raspy moans. Her blood boiled. Her pussy throbbed with need. “Sorcha.” Ian called out her name in a husky, lust-muted voice. Her name uttered from his mouth with such passion sent a jolt of heat through her. It was the most beautiful sound she’d ever heard. Grabbing her arms, he pulled them over her head and pushed them against the standing stone. “I want you.”
39
Cornelia Amiri
“Yes, oh yes,” she moaned. “Fuck me.” He entered her with a driving thrust and buried his thick hardness deep inside her heat. The walls of her pussy stretched with his jabbing thrust. His erection felt as hard as oak. She took all he had to give. Her entire body burned from his heat. Her breasts rubbed against the hair-roughened skin of his muscular chest as he drove into her. With every wave of pleasure, she released a desperate whimper. Harder. Faster. She could take it. Wanted it. Needed it. With each stroke of his thick cock, her body squeezed and thrust and burned hotter. She said between pants, “I am yours. Take me. All of me.” Pushing back against the stone, she used it as leverage and thrust her hips forward, drawing him deeper into her. The moment he freed her hands from where he’d held them, she grabbed his back and slid her palms down his hot skin, slick with sweat, to his tight ass. With a hand on each cheek, she dug her fingers into his flesh and pushed hard, jamming him higher into her. She gasped. “That’s it. There. There.” She clamped her muscles on him, pleading for more with her earthy moans. Sorcha’s heart pounded in a rhythm as wild and fast as Ian’s thrusts. He crushed her throbbing pussy. She ground his cock. So near release, on the edge, blazing. So close. She had to quench the fire. Their bodies thrashed together. He let out long, uninhibited groans. Her pussy clenched. Ian stiffened against her. An expression of deep pleasure crossed his face as he burst inside her. Engulfed in flames, her entire body quivered against his. Still huffing, he said, “Sorcha, I could spend the rest of my life loving you.” They wrapped their arms around each other and he backed her away from the stone. “Are you all right?” He caressed her cheek. “Did I hurt you?” “No, I cannot imagine feeling happier.”
40
Dance of the Vampires
He drew out of her and, still holding her in his embrace, he swung her around so her back pressed against his chest and they both eased into a sitting position. As he leaned against the megalith, she pressed her body against his muscular chest. He ran his hand through her hair and kissed the nape of her neck. His hands came to rest on her firm breasts. He palmed them as she moaned. Ian flicked the taut teats with his thumbs. Hot shivers coursed through her. “Sorcha, I need you again.” Her breasts tingled. The slick, hot cleft between her legs still throbbed with need. As she sat on top of him, she felt his arousal growing rock hard beneath her. His thickness pressed against the tight entrance to her anus. “I want you, Ian.” Heat and tension coiled in the lower portion of her body. She had to have release. “Now…please.” “I cannot get enough of you. Sorcha, you have the most beautiful ass. I want to fuck you there.” Her heart raced and heat throbbed through her body. Her stomach jiggled with nerves. A man had never taken her there before, but Sorcha was up for anything as long as it was with Ian. She rasped, “Yes.” She rose from his lap and onto her knees. He grabbed his jeans off the ground and slipped his hand into the pocket, pulling out a thin silver tube smaller than the one of toothpaste she’d seen in his bathroom at his parents’ house. “What’s that?” She crawled to the standing stone. He dropped his jeans on the ground. “Just lube, to make it easier for me to make love to you there.” He’d obviously anticipated this opportunity and come prepared. She watched him twist off the tiny top and squirt a stream onto his palm. He smeared the lubricant up and down his long, thick cock. With the tube in hand, he walked to her.
41
Cornelia Amiri
Sorcha pressed her palms against the sacred rock for leverage. Ian knelt behind her. She felt his hot hands on her as he spread her butt cheeks. He stroked his slick palms up and down, massaging her derriere. She quivered from a cool, wet sensation as he squirted cream from the tube into that tight, sensitive area. Her skin tingled from the cold lubrication and his hot fingertips. He spread more cream around the rim of the tiny opening in slow, circular motions. She gasped as Ian dipped his lube-coated finger inside, stretching her. He withdrew his long finger and she squirmed as the head of his erection rested against the taut opening. He eased just barely inside. She sucked in a breath as he slid further, partway inside the forbidden cleft. His iron-hard flesh felt like a firebrand inside her. The tightness eased as he stretched her inner walls with gentle prodding. Sorcha let out a deep groan of pleasure-pain. With slow strokes of his cock, he eased in and out, sliding further into her each time. Sorcha’s insides coiled in tension, demanding release. She arched her hips, taking him deeper. She panted as he drove into her throbbing heat. Inside, she turned into liquid fire. The pleasure was intense. Maddening. She was going to explode. As he rammed into her, the cheeks of her ass bounced against his balls, slapping them hard. At the same time that she couldn’t take much more of the pounding his cock gave her, she never wanted it to end. She whimpered. Ian’s groans turned to feral growls. He rode her hard. With his right hand, he slapped her hip with the same rhythm of his thrust. Goading her into a frenzy, pushing her to the finish line. Pressing both his hands on her shoulders, he squeezed and pulled, arching her toward him. She was seized by a rush of sensations so intense she released the final cry of sweet ecstasy. They peaked together in a blood-rushing climax. She released her grip on the standing stone and rocked back. He caught her in his strong arms. They sat on the soft, cool grass as their breathing and pulses slowed to a steadier rhythm. 42
Dance of the Vampires
“You are amazing,” he said in a hoarse voice. Still heady from the dizzying, explosive orgasm, she said the first thing on her mind. “I loved that.” He let out a rich, hearty chuckle. Ian rose to his feet and gave Sorcha a hand to help her up. She picked her green plaid dress off the ground, shook the dirt off of it and slipped it on. Sorcha fastened her belt as Ian tugged on his jeans. Then they slipped on their shoes. As they walked back to the winding road, with Ian’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, she felt so warm, so happy. “You know, my family will never approve of our relationship, what with your sisters almost killing Angus and all.” “I dare say not. My sisters left, but they don’t really approve either. They still think you and your family are nothing more than food. A once-a-year snack.” “Then again, who really cares if our families are against the relationship?” Ian grinned. “It’s not their business.” Her long, loose hair swung across her back as she tossed her head. “No, it’s not.” He pressed his lips against hers in a deep, wet kiss. She gave herself freely to the heated kiss, melting into it like the last sliver of ice on a spring lake. “It doesn’t really matter if my family disapproves, as I’ll be leaving home soon anyway.” “Really?” She peered into his deep blue eyes, gleaming with the love he felt for her, which mirrored her feelings for him, deepening throughout the day. “I’m getting married.” “Ooch, is that so?” She felt the heat rise to her face. He didn’t tell her he had a girlfriend, much less a fiancée. 43
Cornelia Amiri
“Yes, if you’ll have me.” Relief burst through her. “Let me think it over for a bit.” She paused a moment. “Yes, I will.” His warm, joyful laughter rang through the cool night air. “I just need to get a job other than working at my family’s farm. And I need a house and a car.” His expression grew tender. “Sorcha, I’m sorry, but I do not have a ring for you yet.” “Do not worry about the ring, but I can get the other things for you.” “How…are you rich?” She let out a sharp breath. “Don’t you know, if you catch a baobhan sith they will grant you three wishes.” “Are you joking?” “No, why would that be a joke?” “Wow, you are a very convenient woman.” He swallowed. “Do you mean you can really grant me those wishes?” “Yes, what is your first wish?” She folded her arms across her chest. “A safe, stable job with a good salary.” “Your wish is granted, you’ll get a job offer tomorrow by telephone.” He glanced at her askance as if he didn’t believe her. “I’m a baobhan sith, if I did not lie about that, why would I lie about three wishes? I can grant them, it’s true.” He still looked doubtful. “All right, my second wish is a house for us, fully owned, no mortgage.” “Your second wish is granted.” The corners of his mouth turned up into a mischievous smile. “So for my last wish, I want a two-seater.” As the road took them back to the farm, Sorcha grabbed his hand. “Come.” She pulled him over to the barn. 44
Dance of the Vampires
Ian gasped as he laid his eyes on the car outside. “A shiny, candy-red Lamborghini Murciélago.” He gaped at it. “Is it real?” He pinched himself. “Yes, as real as me and all yours.” She wrapped her arm around his waist. “Take me for a ride.” “Wow, do I love you.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the car door. Sorcha felt lighter than air. Buoyant. Free from everything. After he set her gently on her feet, she dropped a set of car keys in his palm. “You drive.” They jumped in and he sped down the road, well over the speed limit. He drove past the nearby farms then spun around to get back before the sun rose. He parked by the barn. When Ian walked to her car door and opened it for her, he flashed a wide grin. “You look different. You were so pale, but now there is a rosy hue to your cheeks and chin.” “You don’t know much of fey lore do you?” She swallowed hard. “When a baobhan sith grants wishes to a human, they get one wish of their own.” She wrapped her arms around him and peered into his gleaming eyes. “I am a mortal now. No more underhill for me. You’re stuck with me forever, even in the daylight.” He let out a shriek of glee. “Human.” He lifted her feet off the ground and twirled her around. Once he set her down, he slid his arm around her and they walked into the house together. With one arm around Sorcha, he rattled the car keys with his other hand. His mother had just come into the kitchen to put a kettle on for tea, as the daily milking had already begun. “Good morning.” Ian gave his mother a peck on her cheek. “We’re going to my room to sleep.” “Not together in the same bed,” she scolded.
45
Cornelia Amiri
“It’s all right, Mum, we’re engaged.” Ian clasped Sorcha’s hand and smiled at his mother. Then he turned to Sorcha. “What about the second wish?” “A lady, what you call a real estate agent, will call today with the information on moving into our new home.” Sorcha couldn’t wait to see what it looked like. Her own home. “Mum, when the real estate agent calls, tell her Sorcha and I are moving in tomorrow and take a message, get the directions to my new house.” His mother's mouth hung open, but she didn’t say a word. Sorcha giggled as Ian scooped her into his arms and carried her into his room. He set her on her feet and closed the door behind them. From beyond the door they heard his mother yell, “Ewan, we’re going to have a fey daughter-in-law. We’re going to have changeling grandchildren, do you hear me, Ewan?” “Yes dear, it sounds lovely.” “Ewan, what did I say?” “I heard every word, dear.” “What was it?” “Something about Mrs. McKay’s daughter-in-law changing her children.” “Ewan, honestly, I do not know why I stay,” she said on a sigh. “I should find a handsome, virile, male baobhan sith for my own.” On the other side of Ian’s bedroom door, Sorcha didn’t hear his parents’ conversation as the sounds of soft laughter, which turned into low groans and pants, filled her ears.
46
About the Author Drawing on her love of a happy ending, Cornelia Amiri is a multi-published romance author known for her Celtic/paranormal tales. Cornelia is inspired by her muse, Severus the Cat, who always lounges beside or (when Cornelia’s not looking) on top of her laptop.
Cornelia welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at
[email protected].
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com
