Deadly Captive (27 page)

"The Church of Peace?" Daederich looked floored. I was grateful he'd switched back to English. "Why the hell would they have a party there?"

Elah gave Daederich a tolerant look. "You adapt so well, Daederich, sometimes I forget you're still a fledgling." He ignored Daederich's scowl and nodded to the SUV

that pulled up to the curb, retrieved by one of his men. He continued to speak even as we all climbed in. "A gathering of that size will ward off most mortals. Anyone already there, such as guards or clergy, will probably become part of the entertainment."

Leaving it at that, Elah leaned forward, speaking low to the driver. I glanced over at Daederich, who was glaring out the window, and internally cursed Elah for being so damned condescending.

"Size three, right, Lydia?"

I stared at Elah for a moment, feeling stupid for having no clue about what he was referring to.

He cleared it up with his usual tact. "Your dress size, Lydia. Will you wake up?"

I frowned at him. "Sorry, oh great leader. In the midst of plotting out murder, I wasn't thinking about wardrobe."

Undeterred by my tone, he simply smiled at me. "You'd be wise to consider everything. We are going to a ball. We must be properly outfitted, and there isn't much time."

I blinked at him then shook my head. Then, I said something else stupid. "The stores are closed."

I had drawn the laughter of all but Daederich. He was shooting daggers at the back of Elah's head with his eyes.

Fixing a narrow-eyed glare on Elah, I leaned forward. "Yes. Size three. And let's make it quick. I'm hungry for blood. Any will do at this point."

Elah smirked, my threat sliding off him, ineffective. "Might be a good idea for you to sate that now, Lydia." He slid closer to me and bared his throat. "Go ahead."

The car took a sharp turn, and I fell against him. The scent of his blood was more fresh and warm than that of either my blood or Daederich's. He'd fed recently, and it was tempting as hell to sink my fangs into his throat and share some of his indulgence.

Clenching my teeth, I turned my head. I couldn't move away from him, but I couldn't give in either.

I caught Daederich's eyes. They were glowing. "Do it, Lydia. You need any advantage you can get."

His will superseded my hesitation. I nuzzled against Elah's neck, growling hungrily, and bit down hard. Elah's chuckle vibrating through us both awakened other things within me and I whimpered. Damn it, I didn't need the distraction.

Blood filled my mouth, and I tried to focus on it, but I couldn't help but shift a little. My body didn't like being denied. Cold air passed over me as the doors opened, but I hardly noticed the other men leaving the car. My attention was fixed on Elah.

I clenched my hand on Elah's thigh, and he groaned. "Daederich, you might want to help her out, before I'm tempted to do it myself."

His hands wrapped around my waist, lifting me easily and setting me down—

without unlatching me—on the seat between himself and Daederich.

A familiar touch, petting down my hair, traveling down my back, brought something close to a purr from my throat. Daederich's own chuckle brought a little thrill. "Why don't we both help her, Elah? It's easy to see you want to."

I was tempted to protest, but I argued myself out of it. Daederich finally had some control of the situation. It was something he had been lacking, something I could give. Elah's twisted morals kept him from trespassing, and, much as I hated to be regarded as property, I liked the idea of taking some of the power from Elah and handing it to Daederich. In a way, it gave me power too.

In a move I hoped Elah would miss but Daederich would understand, I put my hand back on Elah's thigh and sucked harder on his throat.

Elah groaned. "Are you sure? Jealousy could be a problem."

I felt Daederich's hands on my waist, pulling up my shirt. I resisted for a moment, not ready to stop feeding. "Lick the wound, Lydia," he said. "We're going to take care of you."

Extracting my fangs from Elah's flesh, I took my time licking the wound closed, pausing just to let Daederich take my shirt. His hands in my hair, Daederich guided me to Elah's lips.

"Taste her Elah. There will be no jealousy. I've had to share her before. Doing it by choice won't be a problem." Even as he spoke, Daederich's hands moved down, undoing my jeans.

Elah claimed my mouth, licking his blood from my lips. I pressed against him, my mouth grinding on his so hard my fangs slit through both of our lips. Elah undid my bra and moved back to let his eyes feast on my bare breasts. "You're fucking gorgeous, you know that, Lydia?"

His mouth on my breast made my head fall back. I groaned as Daederich worked my jeans down and curved his hand between my thighs, fingers spreading my wetness before he dipped them inside.

"We don't have much time, Elah. She's ready." Daederich kissed my throat, pushing his fingers in deep, then withdrawing them, even as he spoke. "Let's fuck her, now. Release some of that built up pressure . . . ."

Elah growled and pushed Daederich's hand away, testing me with his own fingers. "You're one crazy fuck, Daederich. If she was mine, I wouldn't share."

Daederich laughed, then tugged my earlobe gently between his lips. "Then you wouldn't keep her long. I understand her." His voice lowered to a whisper. Elah could still hear him, but his words were for me. "I understand her as none other ever will."

It was all either Elah or I needed. For me, it was a show of love, and, in return, I was ready to give myself, body, heart, and soul, to this man who had been to hell and back with me. For Elah, it was an open invitation. Undoing his pants he pulled me onto his lap, tore my panties, and slipped his hard dick back and forth across my slick, wet pussy.

My hips shifted as I tried to get him in. I wanted, or more, needed him now. Elah clenched his hands to my hips, holding me still.

"Two dominant men, Lydia. Don't expect to have much control." He eased his head in, then drew it out as though to prove his point.

I bit my lip, pathetically ready to cry or beg. "Please. I want you to fuck me. I want to suck his dick." I knew my lashes were wet when I looked up at him. "Don't deny me. I can take anything but that."

Seeming to understand, Elah carefully lowered me until he was fully embedded, deep within. Sex had been used to torture me before. He wasn't about to be yet another who used it as such. "Get his dick in your mouth. I want to watch."

I smiled and bent down, taking Daederich's waiting cock between my lips. Elah fucked up into me for a bit, and I did my best to meet his thrust. But, soon, the position became awkward, and he drew out, turning me so I kneeled on the seat, ass bared to him, mouth still closed around Daederich's pulsing dick.

Without pause, he slammed into me. I drove my hips back, taking him harder, deeper. He had to still me several times to keep me from hurting myself, but I was enjoying it so much I hardly noticed.

I was more careful with Daederich. Mouth wet, saliva glistening on his hard rod, I moved down and up in a perfect tempo, knowing exactly what he liked. He was getting so close. I could feel him tense. I moved faster, eager to push him over the edge.

He pulled me from him roughly. "Finish him with your mouth. I want that pussy."

Effortlessly they turned me. Daederich filled me and I took Elah in my mouth. It felt right. My body knew Daederich, and it welcomed him deep without question. I could taste myself on Elah's dick, but I didn't mind. I tasted musky and sweet, like honey. He tasted like all things male. I wanted to drink it all in, so I sucked down hard.

It threw him over the edge. He came, hot and sticky in my mouth. I followed, drawing Daederich down with me.

Daederich's final jab was hard and bruising, but it pulled me into an unexpected second orgasm. I whimpered as it took me. Elah held me close as I cried out. Daederich slid from me and pressed tender kisses to my cheeks. It made me feel cared for, secure.

That was the last thing I wanted.

I pulled away from Elah and twisted out of Daederich's grasp. I felt weak, and it pissed me off. Fine, being horny would have been distracting. But feeling close and comforted by them both was worse. None of us needed that. Least of all me.

"Okay, we done now?" My tone was sharper than intended. Thankfully, they both understood.

Elah cleared his throat, keeping his eyes off me as I fixed my clothes. "I'm sure they have your stuff by now. I'll wait outside so you can change."

Feeling a little cruel, and a lot annoyed, I arched a brow at him. "There's really no point to that now. Is there?"

With a dark frown, he opened the door and shouted orders to one of his men in what I could only assume was German. Slamming the door, he dropped two clothing bags on the seat, keeping the third for himself.

The gown was simple, and, thankfully, light. It didn't look it, with the layers of black cloth, but when I pulled it on, I knew the deception was intentional. I would pass among the other women with ease, my dress appearing just as encumbering as theirs did. In contrast, my dress wouldn't hamper my movements at all--so long as I didn't become clumsy and trip over the damn skirts.

Daederich and Elah were wearing matching tuxedos. There was nothing defining about them except for the fact that Daederich's shirt was white, and Elah's jewel tone red. I wondered if the plan was to have all the men dress exactly the same, and I was prepared to ask why bother with a disguise at all if we were planning on attracting that much attention to ourselves.

Elah pulled out the masks before I could voice my concerns.

I didn't look at mine right away. Instead, I watched the men. Daederich's mask was simple, a black, full faced mask in mockery of a human face. Elah had given him a tri-corn to complete the façade, and I smiled when I realized the hat had strands of hair strategically revealed beneath the rim, which would hide Daederich clean-shaven state.

Happy to know that Daederich would not be recognized, I turned my attention to Elah. I had to fight not to jump when I saw him. The mask of crimson and gold, with its sharp chin and lack of a mouth, was creepy. There were gold horns high on the brow. He looked like Satan himself. When I shuddered, he laughed. I scowled at him.

"Your vanity astounds me." I bit my lip, realizing how haughty I sounded.

Elah winked at me, then slid the mask to rest on his head so I could see his face.

"Guess the dress makes the girl—" He held up his hand before I could cut in. "No that's good, Lydia. You should act like a bit of a snob. You'll fit in better. We don't want to draw notice too early." He grinned when I glanced up at his mask. "It's a Bauta mask. I won't be the only one wearing one."

Worried now, I finally looked at my own mask.

It was a pretty thing that felt like it was made of leather, which was good; it would be comfortable. The only problem was that the stark glittering white of it would invite admiring looks, as would the artistic design. Angel wings with wide, doe-eyed cutouts, concealing just half of my face.

I looked at Elah, confused.

His calm expression made it clear he'd been waiting for me to ask. He didn't make me vocalize the question. "We'll go in as a couple and their guard. It's not uncommon for our kind, who sees themselves as a kind of royalty, to travel with protection." He turned to Daederich. "Nothing against your skills, but I'm not bringing you two along to see you added to the bodies. I'll stay with Lydia, and my men will watch your back."

For a second, I thought Daederich would object. It was hard to tell with the mask on his face, but his eyes on Elah were evidence enough. Finally, he just nodded. "Let's go."

Elah inclined his head and opened the door again, calling his men inside.

If I hadn't already grown to like Elah a little, I would have upon seeing the men.

Other then eye color they all looked identical. I couldn't pick Daederich out among them. Which meant it was unlikely anyone else would. Daederich was as safe as he could be, and, upon reflection, I realized, so was I.

There would be death. It would walk among them unseen until it was too late.

We alone would be untouched by it. With our blood and pain, we'd earned the reversal of roles.

Now, they would be at our mercy. Mercy that withers in the cold.

From the curve of the road, the water appeared as glass, mirroring the black of the starless sky on its still surface. The beautiful silence was shattered by harsh laughter that cut out over the sound of bells, ringing somber over the hauntingly joyous scene.

It was meant to be calm, in reverence of the god they mocked by their very existence. Instead, the crude crowd, who were spilling out like locusts onto the immaculately manicured grounds, shamed the glorious backdrop of the century-old church. High screams drowned out the sound of the bells; blood marred the pristine white stone. Hell had visited The Church of Peace.

Elah clasped a light, black cloak over my shoulders, checked to be certain my sword was well concealed in its folds, and pressed a soft kiss to my palm. "Ready?"

Nervously fidgeting with the black leather gloves Elah had given me, I looked down at my deceptively soft-looking slippers. The steel set within was uncomfortable, but would serve me well.

Elah tipped my head up with his fingers. "You can do this."

I swallowed. "I know. It's just . . . ." I glanced past the door Daederich was holding open and shivered as I took in the crowd. "I don't want—"

With a firm hold on my chin, Elah waited until I met his eyes before speaking.

"It's not going to happen. I'll see you dead before I let them have you again. That goes for both of you."

My eyes shifted to Daederich's. I saw his curt nod, but, more, the concern deep in his eyes. More than ever before, he needed my strength. And I needed his. I returned my gaze to Elah. "Bored smile. Few words. Wait for your signal."

Smiling, Elah nodded and held my eyes for a moment. Stepping out of the car, he held out his hand to me. I took it and stood, catching just the end of the brief exchange between Elah and Daederich.