Raven's Desires (Night Hunters) (16 page)

All Kristian wanted to do was protect Raven.

As he pulled up in his driveway Raven spoke. “Kristian, are you upset?”

Raven’s voice sounded so sweet when she spoke.

Kristian glanced at his nervous mate. He could feel that he had frightened her at demanding she stay quiet. It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to defend herself
—
his need to protect her had grew tenfolds He didn’t want Alec to get anywhere near her.

“No, I’m not mad.”

Kristian leaned over and opened the door. He was out and on her side before her feet touched the ground. He grasped her hand when she got out of the car.

“But you sounded angry.”

“I was when I saw Alec coming toward you. Alec is—was—is a very dangerous vampire. I don’t know what he has on his mind, but I will not sacrifice you to find out.”

“I know, and even though I am happy that you want to protect me, you will not be able to all the time, Kristian.”

Kristian led her to his room where they could talk in private. The house was built with double padded walls
—
great for nights when Shane brought his company over and they were having sex all night. He didn’t want Shane to hear them talking at the moment.

Kristian let go of her hand when they were in his room.

“I know I can’t always protect you, Raven, and that scares the hell out of me. You are a slayer. You are physically and mentally stronger than many beings on this earth
—
Sad to admit, even me.”

Raven laughed but quickly quieted as he paced back and forth in front of her.

“I know that makes you scared, but if this is what I’m to become, you have to let me be.”

Kristian stopped pacing and looked at her.

“Less than twelve hours ago, you didn’t want this, now you are telling me that you embrace being a slayer?”

Raven shrugged. “Do I really have a choice, Kristian?”

“What do you mean?”

“I may be only nineteen, but I feel way older than I am at this moment. I found out that vampires and other creatures of the night walk this earth less than twenty-four hours ago. I found out I’m a slayer and my work now is to protect humans, which I figure I’m not human anymore, since I will never age.” Raven looked down at her feet and whispered, “I found out that my forever love is a vampire
—
someone who I already care for more than anything, and have only shared one kiss. How can I say I don’t accept what’s happening to me?”

Raven lifted her head, and her eyes were filled with tears.

“Don’t cry, Raven,” Kristian said then he moved to stand in front of her.

He wrapped his arms around her.

“There’s nothing I can do to change what I am. I’m a slayer. I will fight evil and evil will find me even in my sleep. So yes, I accept everything that is going to happen in my life.”

Kristian pulled away from her. “What do you mean in your sleep?”

Raven wiped the tears away.

“Last night as I slept, I dreamed that I was in this hell. My room caught on fire and this voice kept taunting, asking me to let him out. Then this guy surrounded by fire climbed on my bed and jumped on me. I felt the fire on my skin burning me. As this guy held me down he kept saying let my master out. When I woke I was soaked with sweat and I knew that it wasn’t a dream.”

Kristian slid his hands up and down her arms.

“It was a dream, but not fully.”

“What does that mean?”

Kristian took Raven’s hand and pulled her to his bed. “The portal that opened was near your home. You were like a vessel for it. Maybe it was the fact that you were newly born that opened it, I can’t say for sure. This portal leads to a hell world for Karlem demons, very dangerous creatures, as I said before. As we researched, we found that no one has escaped from it.”

“So you’re saying that this hole is my fault?”

“No
—
no, that’s not what I’m saying. It could be, but I doubt it. Maybe something knew what you were, and with the magic around you they could more easily open it. I’m thinking it’s more of an inside thing, since you said that this burning demon asked you to let his master out.”

“Was it a Karlem demon that tried to burn me alive?”

Kristian shook his head. “No, I’m sure it wasn’t. The reason is that Karlem demons are very lazy when they are weak. There were many sacrifices done over the years and they were sent to that hell as well. I’m sure that burning person was nothing more than a slave who has been promised freedom from hell if he got the Karlem demon out.”

Kristian put his arms around Raven. She had started to tremble and he could smell the fear. He ran his hands up and down her arms when she laid her head on his shoulder.

“Could one of those sacrifices get out?”

“Not without us knowing it. We have Calvin Nolan working on closing it. He’s a very old and powerful warlock.”

“Warlock?”

“Yes, they live long past the human age. I have known some to be around two-hundred, but that’s it. They don’t age quickly, so they can keep up their appearance.”

Raven lifted her head. “Wow, I’m learning a lot today.”

“So while this portal is open I would like for you to stay here.”

“I can’t,” Raven quickly answered.

“Why not? If you think I’m going to try to make love to you I will not.”

Raven snorted. “Lies, but that’s not why not. I can’t just stay away from home for god knows how long. My mom already thinks I’m dating some old rich guy.”

“She does?”

“Yes. My dad saw the car and knew the price. Remember, I smacked you for that earlier.”

“How could I forget?” He rubbed his arm.

“Well, I told her that I’ve known you for a few months now and the window on my car is broken and my boyfriend who she has never met loaned me his very expensive car.”

“Well, I can always meet your parents if you like, just not now. As for you being out, we have people going to your home and retrieving some of your belongings. If you need anything special you have to let me know so I can tell them what it is. Your mother and father will be, in simple words, reprogrammed to think you are merely on a trip with friends.”

“And my parents are going to go for that?”

“They have no choice.”

“Can you do that mind thingy on me?”

Kristian shook his head. “It’s very hard to bend the will of a slayer. It has been tested, and you will not have to worry about someone willing you to kill yourself.”

“Cool. That’s good to know.”

“Now is there anything you want to do? You are a rich woman now, and can go buy anything your heart desires. You don’t want to go put some miles on that credit card of yours?”

Raven laughed. “This coming from a man who has God knows how much money and only one car?”

“I have the need to splurge a little. I have this wonderful woman in my life now. That’s all I will ever need.”

“No, I’m good with just being here with you. I can’t really wrap my brain around having so much money just yet.”

“So a dinner and a movie at home then? Sounds like something you would enjoy? What about anything from your home?”

“Yes it would be nice to just relax. I’m sure if they don’t get anything I need, which I find uneasy for me to have them in my underwear drawer, I guess we can go out and buy.”

“Sounds like a fun night then. Just the two of us.”

“Yes, it will be.”

Kristian tilted her head up to his. He leaned forward, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Just touching her lips made his body come to life. His hand went to her head, holding her to him. When she gasped he slid his tongue inside her mouth, tasting her. She tasted so sweet, like nothing he’d ever tasted before. The need that rose inside him tripled the moment she responded to his kiss. Her hands went to his head as she returned the kiss with passion that he’d never experienced before. He needed her, needed to mate with her to make her his for all eternity.

They kissed for what seemed like hours before he pulled away from her. Raven’s lips were swollen and her breathing harsh. He ran his fingers down the side of her face to her neck. All the while she kept her eyes closed.

I need you.

Kristian could not ignore Raven’s voice in his mind. He doubted she knew she’d spoken to him that way, but he would explain that part of their relationship later.

Kristian needed to touch her more, kiss her until their minds were fogged with nothing but need of each other. He sat back further on the bed, pulling her until she sat on top of him.

Raven opened her eyes when he made sure she could feel the evidence of his desire pressed against her. He pulled her to him, kissing her deeply again, this time pouring all his feelings for her into it.

Raven gasped and released him. Her body pressed closer to him, causing him to moan from the delicious friction.

“The feelings are overwhelming, I don’t feel anything but your need,” Raven whispered. “I need you.”

“Only if you are sure that you want me, Raven. I would give you anything. My world.”

“Yes. I want you, Kristian. Make love to me.”

Kristian experienced the same thing as Raven was at this moment. The bond they shared had opened up a link between them
—
his feelings where hers and vice versa. Each other’s passions fuelled the others until now nothing mattered but being together. The mating process had begun, and he would make sure that Raven enjoyed being with him.

Kristian grabbed her t-shirt and pulled it over her head. Her dark skin looked so delicious next to the white bra she had on. Kristian couldn’t stop himself as he leaned forward and placed a kiss between her breasts. It excited him more when she moaned just from his kiss. She craved more, wanting him to go faster, but he knew that she needed to go slow to understand what was about to happen to them.

Kristian pulled the bra straps down over her shoulders, giving him full access to her. He didn’t hesitate, he latched onto her right nipple, sucking it into his mouth. She rewarded him with a loud moan and pressed down on him. As he built her pleasure, he reached around, unhooking her bra with his hand.

“Oh God. You two are going to have sex aren’t you?”

Raven screamed at the sound of Shane’s voice. She moved from over Kristian, shielding herself as she ran into the bathroom.

To keep from choking his close friend, Kristian lay on the bed looking at the ceiling for a moment, then looked at Shane.

“Not anymore.” Kristian growled. “Ever heard of knocking? Or even feeling projections?”

Shane leaned against the door frame. “I did and I am very proud of you, but Arthas is downstairs.”

“And he couldn’t have waited?”

“I don’t know. How’s your stamina lately? Would he have to wait five minutes or five hours?”

“I need better friends.”

“No one is better than me.”

Kristian sat up on the bed, grabbed Raven’s shirt and walked to the bathroom. He tapped on the door.

“What?”

“I’m sorry, and here’s your shirt. Shane will apologize for his rudeness.”

Shane snatched the shirt out of Kristian’s hand. “Yes, here’s your shirt. Come out and I will give it to you.”

Raven opened the door and her arm shot out. “Give me my shirt.”

Shane teased her by letting her touch the shirt but drawing it away before she grasped it.

“Stop playing with her, Shane,” Kristian snapped.

“I’m not. She has to come out and get it.”

“No. Give me my damn shirt.”

“Oh, come on, Raven. I’ve seen people in bras before. I’m sure that Kristian wouldn’t mind me just peeking at you. Would you, Kristian?”

Kristian shook his head but smiled. Shane thought that his good looks would get him anywhere and he didn’t mind Raven showing off to Shane. Raven would be the one woman he wouldn’t share.

“Kristian, tell him to give me my damn shirt.”

“It’s not that easy, my lovely Raven. Shane is a pig and likes to play games. You can come out and get it and show him what he will never be able to touch.”

“You are as bad as him but fine.”

Raven opened the door and Kristian couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her jeans were low cut and hung on her waist. He had a perfect view of her toned stomach and abs. She really had nothing to hide. She was beautiful.

“Oh, nice,” Shane said.

Raven scowled. “May I have my shirt now, you pervert?”

“Not just yet. Spin around for me.”

Raven sighed and raised her hands, palms facing Shane. “See these hands?”

“Yes I do, going to slap me now? Hell, I have been slapped by many women.”

Raven kicked out and landed a very hard blow to Shane’s balls. Kristian could feel the painful blow for Shane. Even as a vampire, he knew that would hurt.

Shane groaned then went down to the floor without a word. As he fell, Raven grabbed her shirt.

“Bastard.”