Chapter Seven

 

“Your apocalypse has started.”

“Is that how you greet all your guests at the door?” Christoff growled as he waited for the unnecessary invitation to cross the threshold.

Terry motioned for them to enter his home and followed them into the living room.

“A friend from my old precinct phoned me. There was a disturbance at the local pub last night. Some superwoman beat up an innocent guy and left him for dead. There’s an all-points bulletin out for her.”

“Oh, great.” Evangeline mumbled under her breath.

“You?” Terry lifted an eyebrow as his gaze drifted from Evangeline to Christoff.

“It wasn’t her fault.” He explained. “And the man she choked wasn’t innocent.”

“I expected as much.” Terry pointed to the settee and sat on the chair facing them. “He has a reputation for hurting women. We haven’t been able to pin anything on him yet as the witnesses always change their mind at the last minute.”

“I believe that he’ll think twice next time.” Evangeline snickered. After a quick glance at Terry, she bit her lip and looked down at her feet.

“I will be watching him.” Christoff informed him. Despite his orders to protect humans, he had made more than a few predators disappear over the years. “His next attack will be his last.”

“As a former officer of the law, I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Terry looked up to the ceiling, his lips formed a tight line. “We didn’t even discuss him.”

“But we did discuss him.” Christoff protested. “How could you forget so quickly? Are you unwell?”

Terry’s shoulders dropped, and he sighed as he tilted his head in Evangeline’s direction. “Do you believe this guy?”

“He’s a hard nut to crack.”

“Hey! No picking on the big guy.” Susie entered the room in response to his telepathic message. Their words were lost on him. He needed a translator.

Terry motioned for her to sit in his lap where he wrapped his arms around her belly. Christoff felt the sting of jealousy. The experience surprised him. Enforcing the vampire law was all he’d ever cared about but now… Now he envied his friends and the family they had created. Susie glowed with joy despite the morning sickness that often plagued her. Their telepathic connection gave him more of an insight into her emotions than she realized. The baby was healing her psychological wounds. She smiled to Evangeline.

“Maybe you could teach me how to defend myself. After the baby arrives, of course.”

Evangeline forced a smile. “I would if I could. The entire thing is a blur. He and his thugs threatened to rape me. Next thing I knew, he was dangling in the air with my fingers around his throat, pissing down his pants.”

Susie’s eyes opened wide and she took Christoff by surprise when she burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry,” she held her hand to her mouth, but the giggles kept escaping. “I know I shouldn’t laugh, but your description was so vivid.” She turned to face Christoff. “I like her. I think we’re going to become good friends.”

Susie’s words gave him hope for Evangeline’s salvation. A friend like Susie might be just what she needed. Someone with shared experiences. But would she object to him disclosing the traumas of her past? Was she ready for a stranger to know her story? She instantly answered his extrasensory question with a yes. You have my blessing to tell her anything that might help her get through this.

He smiled and nodded his thanks. Evangeline raised an eyebrow.

“I’ll explain in the car on the way home,” he whispered, close to her ear.

“Okay, let’s get this party started.” Terry lifted his wife and put her in his vacated seat. “Drinks?”

“Party? I thought we were here to discuss the impending danger?” Had he missed something?

Evangeline held her palm to her forehead, shook her head and then raised her chin to face Terry. “I think I’ll have one of those drinks.”

“Iced tea coming up.” He smiled to the guests and headed to the kitchen.

 Evangeline frowned and whispered to Christoff, “Iced tea? I thought he meant real drinks?”

When Terry returned, carrying a tray of glasses and a jug of herbal tea, he half smiled his apology. “Susie insists that, if she can’t drink alcohol, no one in this house can.”

“Seems fair.” Evangeline accepted her drink and took a sip before placing the glass on the coffee table. “Let’s cut to the chase. My father is back in town and I plan to kill him before he causes any trouble. Who’s with me?”

“Back up a bit.” Terry squeezed in beside Susie. “This is a human problem?”

Christoff stopped Evangeline with an extended palm, before she could answer. There was more to the story than even she understood. Perhaps hearing it in a friendly environment might lessen the shock.

“Mánagarmr Lupescu was once a man. He made a Faustian pact with a demon to make him a powerful mage. As you know, Demons are not the most honorable of supernatural beings and demanded more than the usual pound of flesh. It entered his body to impregnate Evangeline’s mother. Her human body was not strong enough to tolerate the demon’s blood and after the birth, she became ill.” He turned to Evangeline and thread his fingers through hers. “She lost her fight yesterday.”

“Oh, no.” Susie leapt from her husband’s lap and almost threw herself at her new friend. “I’m so sorry. If there’s ever anything I can do to help. A shoulder to cry on—”

Evangeline bristled. “Thanks, but I’m fine.” She looked down at her feet while Susie returned to her seat. Christoff continued his story.

“When Evangeline was approximately six years old, I was instructed to destroy Lupescu. The demon had almost completely taken over his body, so he was no longer considered to be human. We expected his followers to disband after the mage’s death, but we were wrong. Recent information has come to light.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a photograph and passed it around. When it reached Evangeline, he asked, “Is this what you saw on the locket?”

She nodded her head. “Is this a tattoo?”

He addressed his answer to the room. “This photograph was taken off a body in the morgue after the police shot him three months ago. He was killed while attempting to sacrifice a child.”

“A child?” Susie almost screeched.

“The child was unharmed. Unfortunately, the other cult members escaped.”

“I remember that case.” Terry scratched his head. “There was a medallion involved. We found it around the kid’s neck. I don’t know what happened to it.”

“I do.” Evangeline told him. “Some idiot opened it.”

“Who would do a dumb ass thing … oh.”

“Yep. That would be me.”

Christoff explained how Evangeline’s blood was the key to open the locket. He told them about the metal scroll. “Have you ever heard of a curse tablet?” He asked.

Susie raised her hand. “I have. I remember learning about it at college. If you wanted someone to pay for an injustice, you would scratch or engrave a curse onto a piece of lead and hide it under their house. Some curse tablets were found in cemeteries or wells.”

Evangeline shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t get it. How does that work?”

“The curse would be addressed to a demon who would punish the person named on the scroll.”

“Okay, I get the curse tablet and the blood thing.” Terry scratched his head as he furrowed his brows. “But what I don’t get is, who is the scroll cursing?”

“I believe that would be me.” It was only a matter of time before someone cursed him. His enemies numbered in the hundreds, maybe thousands. Sooner or later, his number would be up, but why now? Was fate really cruel enough to deny him one moment’s happiness?

All eyes turned to Christoff, but it was Evangeline who spoke first.

“You? Oh, shit. That’s why the charm was so important to you.” She leaned forward, supporting her forehead with her hands. “You’re right about me. I’m no good. If I wasn’t so selfish, you’d have the medallion and none of us would be in this mess.” She raised her head, tears in her eyes as she asked him, “I’ve as good as killed you, haven’t I?”

“I think that boat sailed a while back.” Terry interjected. He received an elbow to his mid-section from Susie for his insensitivity.

“What do you think they’re planning?” Susie asked Christoff. Her troubled expression warmed his cold heart. The little one was concerned for him.

“True death. Possibly after days of torture.”

Evangeline’s gasp synchronized with Susie’s. Only Terry seemed unfazed.

“Oh, come on. You couldn’t possibly believe that a bunch of hooded goths could take down big guy here? He’ll obliterate them.” He held his hand out to Christoff for a fist bump and received a frown for his troubles.

Evangeline’s spirits seemed to lift. She raised her head, her eyes twinkled with hope as she smiled at him. Christoff didn’t have the heart to explain his handicap, but Susie had no hesitation.

“He can’t hurt a human. If he harms or, heaven forbid, kills one. The vampire council will execute him.”

“Then … I’ll do it. I’ll kill them. It’s all my fault anyway.”

“I can’t let you do that, min dyrebare. For many reasons.”

Evangeline crossed her arms and shot him a scowl. “Name one.”

“You forget the reason I found you in the first place. My task is to hunt evil doers and punish them.”

She rose to her feet and stared down at him. Her pained expression cut him to the quick. Once again, his honesty had hurt her. If only he could learn to lie like other men.

“I can’t believe you. You would kill me for protecting you?”

“It would pain me to do so, but yes.”

“Well, fuck you.” She stormed to the door. “Maybe I should just let them have you.”

In an instant, he blocked her path. “I can’t change who I am.”

She glared into his eyes. Her lips tantalizingly close, but he dared not kiss her. Even he knew it would be a bad idea.

“Neither can I.”

“Both of you. Sit down and let’s discuss this.” Susie called to them from her seat.

“There’s nothing to discuss.” Evangeline told her, without shifting her gaze from Christoff’s face. “The party’s over.”

“I disagree.” Susie rose from her chair with Terry’s aid. “Christoff. You can’t kill Evangeline. She’s human.”

There was truth in Susie’s statement, but she was only half right. Evangeline’s blood was tainted with demon venom. Herein lay the problem. Damned either way, he would be obliged to kill her, but in doing so, he would be signing his own death warrant. Oddly, he didn’t mind. True death would be a blessing. Living without her would be much worse. Considering her reaction to his last comment, he chose to keep this revelation to himself.

“Uhmm.” Terry ran a finger around the inside of his collar as he grimaced. “That poses another problem. As much as I applaud the way you took out that degenerate in the pub, the law tends to come down hard on killers. Even if you manage to annihilate those ghouls, you’ll be arrested and thrown into prison.”

The color drained from Evangeline’s face. Christoff guessed what she must be thinking. She’d lived alone for most of her life. A lone wolf. Free to roam whenever and wherever she wanted. Prison would kill not only her spirit, but her physical body. She’d not survive a month.

She grabbed his upper arms. Her fingernails dug into his skin as she leaned closer, tears brimming her lower lashes. “Promise me,” she whispered. “I’m begging you.” She closed her eyes. “If it comes to that, I want you to kill me. Don’t let them lock me away.”

****

Evangeline sat on the sand, her toes wiggling in the salt water as she tried to enjoy what she suspected would be her last day alive. The Corel family’s private beach offered privacy. An invitation too good to pass up. She stripped down to her underwear and lay back in the sand, her semi-naked skin soaking up the last rays of sunlight as her thoughts drifted up to the cottage and the vampire who slept inside.

He’d keep his promise, of that she was sure. Honest to the point of rudeness, he would not have given his word if he’d not meant it. Everything else about the man, remained a mystery. Despite their heated argument, he’d still reached for her during the night. His large hands had cupped her breasts and squeezed until she’d pushed him away. When he rolled over, turning his back to her, she felt every cell in her body scream out in protest. If only she’d been able to control her temper one last time. She’d go to her grave regretting the lost opportunity to feel the strength in those large arms as they wrapped around her. Even now, her body responded to the images of their lovemaking. Her right hand slipped down between her legs to stroke her swollen clit.

“Yes, yes. It pleases me to see you fondle yourself.”

She sat bolt upright. Her eyes hardly believing what she saw.

“Who the hell are you?” This can’t be happening. Please, please don’t be him. Not now. Crossing one arm over her chest, the other in front of her crotch, she tried to cover, not only the sheerness of her underwear, but also, her fear. 

“Come, my daughter. Let me satisfy your carnal urges.” He motioned to the bulge in his tight leather trousers as he thrust his hips forward. “And you, my dear, can appease mine.”

The taste of bile soured her taste buds. An ugly, horned demon would have been easier to dismiss. Fear would have made her forget her embarrassment and revulsion. Unfortunately, this predator looked like he’d stepped from a fashion magazine. The color of his dark hair matched her own and his features and physique were aesthetically pleasing … for a fiend. Other than the unusual shade of purple in his irises, he could easily pass as human. She shook her head as she backed away to reach her discarded clothes. Another man who thought her body was his own private play toy.

“I think I’ll pass. I’m not into incest.”

The trek up to the cottage involved climbing at least twenty stairs. She’d be forced to turn her back on him. If he grabbed her from behind, she’d be helpless.

“Incest?” His laugh sent a chill down her spine. “Despite what you think, I am not your father.”

“But… I thought –”

“The mystical arts are complicated, my dear.” He maneuvered himself between Evangeline and the stairs. “Let me think how I can explain this.” He scratched his chin and grinned. “My blood runs in your veins, but my sperm did not create you. I infected your DNA rather than contributed to it. It’s rather like your vampire. His demon lives in his blood, however, it lives apart from him. They are two separate entities.” He moved towards her. “So, shall we fornicate now?”

“Go fuck yourself.” Her quaking voice didn’t sound as forceful as she’d hoped. She couldn’t even convince her own legs that she was brave. They shook so violently, she could barely stand, let alone run.

His smile did little to bolster her confidence. “So, you want foreplay? I’m happy to oblige. It will make me even hornier. Go on, run. I’ll even give you a head’s start. I remember the children’s game of hide and seek. Tell you what I’ll do. I’ll count to fifty and—”

She took off running, bolting past him and up the stairs, two at a time. There was no way she’d reach the cottage in the time it took him to count to fifty, but at least she could put some distance between them. She had to. Somehow, despite her revulsion, she was inexplicably drawn to him. It was as if she had no choice but to submit to his advances. Her own demon blood responded to him. So far, his words had been crude suggestions, he hadn’t ordered her to obey him. Would she be able to fight his commandments?

Half way between the beach and the cottage, he caught her. She slammed into his body when he suddenly materialized in front of her. To her horror, her breasts felt the damp heat of his bare chest and she realised that he’d discarded his own clothes. His naked arousal pressed against her belly. His arms wrapped around her body. His lips claimed her, and his laughter reverberated into her mouth. “I think we have an audience.”

She broke contact with his lips, turning her head towards the cottage and the man who stood by the window. Although a distance away, she could see the look of betrayal etched on his face. The pain in Christoff’s eyes. As she struggled in the demon’s arms, he whispered into her ear.

“You and I are simpatico. I believe you understand that, should I command it, you will give yourself to me. Shall we, to use your vernacular, fuck here in front of your friend, or go somewhere more private?”

She closed her eyes, but the image of Christoff’s shattered expression remained permanently etched on her mind. I may be part demon, but I’m not a monster. I won’t force him to watch, even if it means I’m throwing away my only chance of escape. She took a deep breath, knowing that her world was about to change, and not for the better. “Take us somewhere private.”

****

Christoff drew the curtains and flopped down on the edge of the bed. He couldn’t watch any more. He’d given her every chance to prove herself to be a decent human being and this is how she’d repaid him? The musk of her arousal had reached his finely tuned senses. Driven him from his bed in the hopes that she’d forgiven him for his insensitive remarks and waited for him to come to her. What a fool he’d been. He balled his hands into fists and fumed. Whore. Worse than that. A prostitute would have met her John in a private place. A seedy motel room where they could fornicate without the rest of the world being privy to their escapades. This woman had the gall to parade almost naked, outside his bedroom with another man. Judging by their body language, they were about to do the deed then and there.

Not while there’s breath in my body.

He jumped to his feet and stormed out of the bedroom, through the living room and out the front door. Human or no, this man was going to die.

Outside the cottage, he stopped. Where were they? Surely, they hadn’t time to leave the estate? Being an ancient, the last rays of sunlight did little more than prickle his skin. Soon it would be dark and even the tingling would stop. He strode down towards the beach, his hands fisting and releasing as he made his way to the secluded alcove, expecting the worst, planning his revenge. Besides a small hermit crab that quickly darted out of his way, the beach was empty. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small heap of clothes. Evangeline’s clothes. Looking around, he failed to find any others. Had the male come to the beach naked? He raised his arm, planning to throw the clothes far out into the water. That would teach her for making a fool of him. Something made him pause. He sniffed the air. Rotten eggs? Although faint, the smell of sulfur hung in the breeze. Holding the clothes close to his face, he inhaled. Evangeline’s intoxicating scent clung to the fabric. He detected no trace of sulfur.

How was that possible? If a demon had seduced Evangeline, he would be able to detect at least a whiff of him on her belongings. Turning back to the stairs, Christoff noticed a beach towel draped over the rail. Had she come down to the beach for a dip and encountered the demon? Besides his own footprints, he noticed two other sets in the sand, plus, the larger imprint of a body. Drawing on his profiler techniques, he deduced two important things. Evangeline had been laying alone on the ground when the male approached wearing shoes. It was hardly likely that he wore shoes and nothing else, so, he must have been fully dressed when he advanced on her.

Beside the larger imprint, near where he found her clothes, the sand had been disturbed into a heap. A deep impression convinced him that she had dug her feet into the ground to push off running. He followed the stairs back up to the perfectly manicured lawn. Perfect, except for the divots where her feet had landed heavily. These were not produced by someone taking a leisurely stroll. She was running. Running for her life. He searched the area for more footprints and found none. Why would he? The demon would not bother to chase his prey when he could easily materialize whenever he wanted.

 “How could I be so foolish?”

He’d let long forgotten human emotions control his judgement. Christoff’s heart slammed into his chest. What he’d witnessed wasn’t Evangeline seducing a man. She was being assaulted by a demon.

****

They materialized in a darkened room, surrounded by cloaked and hooded figures. The heady aroma of incense hung in the air. Dazed from the teleportation, it took Evangeline a few moments to comprehend her situation and attempt to cover her body with her hands.

“I thought you were taking us somewhere private?”

His laugh curdled the contents of her stomach. His words, more so.

“My minions will not disturb us, my dear.” He winked an eye before adding, “Until I give them the signal to participate.”

“You sick, twisted bastard.”

She pushed away from his embrace and scanned the room until she saw what she needed. With a flick of her wrist, she used her powers to snatch a robe from its wall hook and send it sailing to her outstretched hand. Once covered in the newly acquired garment, she found the confidence to challenge her abductor even further.

“If you or any of your goons try to touch me, I’ll set fire to your gonads.”

“I’d like to see you try that.” He motioned to one of his followers. “Prepare her for the ritual.”

The male rose, bowed and came at her with a carnal look in his eye.

She extended her arm, palm out, and threw him against a wall. The sickening sound of cracking bone told her that she’d crossed the line long before he fell to the floor in a pool of blood. Before she had time to contemplate her actions, a wave of worshippers charged her. This time, flames shot from her hands, incinerating each in turn until only the demon remained.

The steady sound of his clapping chilled her to the bone. She doubted that Christoff and Terry would be as amused. She wondered which would be the least painful, lethal injection or fatal vampire bite?

“Impressive, I must say. I can only imagine how powerful you will be, once properly trained. Come, let us finish what we started at the beach.”

“Finish this.” Concentrating all her power into her palms, she sent a bolt of electricity through his body, lighting him up with blue sparks. His body convulsed, but remained upright as she continued to hit him with wave after wave of electrical energy. When his eyes rolled back into his head, she stopped, exhausted and confident she’d finished the job. She was wrong.

“Ah. I needed that.” He squared his shoulders and grinned. “Thank you for the little-pick- me up. You look surprised. Did you really think you could kill me?” With a chuckle and a wave of his hand, his clothes materialized. “You are only a halfling. Only a demon can kill another.” He glanced around the room at the piles of ash and broken bodies. “Such a mess. Fortunately, I have many other minions to take their place.”

Many? She’d already killed at least ten people. How many others would die at her hands? She slumped against the brick wall and fought to catch her breath. Monster. I’ve become my father.

“Your reluctance has become tiresome.” His statement shocked her back to reality. “If you aren’t prepared to service me…” He raised an eyebrow. She shook her head. “Then return to the vampire until I call for you.”

****

Christoff turned towards the gasp and did a double-take. A hooded figure lay sprawled on the sand covered in only a black cloak. The bare legs of a woman gave him hope.

“Evangeline?”

The woman lifted her head and removed the cowl from her face. Her eyes glistened with tears as he lifted her to her feet. “Oh, Chris. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

Sending a silent prayer of thanks out to the universe, he hugged her close to his body and planted kisses on the top of her head. “And I, you, my precious. Where have you been?”

“I have no idea.” Her tears dampened the silk of his shirt. “But there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Do not fear my wrath.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “I admit that seeing you with another man sent me into a rage, but I know now that he manipulated the situation. I know that you were not intentionally unfaithful to me. The demon failed in his attempt to turn me against you.”

“I wasn’t even unintentionally unfaithful.” She corrected. “He stripped off his clothes as he caught me running away. What you saw was him catching me. Nothing happened.”

She pulled the edges of the cloak together as her body shivered in the cold night air.

“You’re cold?”

As she nodded her head, he scooped her into his arms and teleported into the cottage.

“I didn’t know you could do that.”

“There are many things you still don’t know about me.” Some, he hoped she would never learn. Others, he longed to teach her. Sensual things. For the moment, he’d have to be patient. “I’ll run a hot bath for you.”

“We need to talk.” She called to him from the bedroom. “There’s something you should know.”

A ball coiled in his belly. Part of him didn’t want to know. The other, needed to know. Had she lied about fornicating with the demon? He strolled back into the room, trying to keep his emotions in check. “Did the demon seduce you? Wait. Did he –”

Her quick and violent reaction was all he needed to hear. “No. I wouldn’t let him touch me.”

“Then enjoy your bath and we will discuss the matter later.”

He kissed her forehead and left the room. She’d be hungry and exhausted from her abduction. If he’d learned anything about Evangeline, it was her insatiable appetite. A pizza and bottle of merlot would lift her spirits. Whatever she had to tell him could wait.

****

Entering the bathroom felt like stepping into a romantic novel. The deep, freestanding tub needed a step to climb into. Scented candles bathed the room in a soft, warm light and cast beautiful reflections on the mirrored backsplash behind the tub. However, even the hot water and luxurious, thick bubbles of fragrant perfume could not relax the knots in her shoulders. The demon’s blood bubbled inside her veins. Scorched her skin. Played tricks with her mind. He spoke to her constantly … or was it her own voice urging her to do unspeakable things?

Crockery rattled in the kitchen. The aroma of stone fired pizza drifted into the bathroom making her mouth water and her tummy rumble, but she had an appetite for something else. Sex, and lots of it.

“Come and get it.”

His double-entendre sent a shiver down her spine and a rush of blood to her erogenous zones. As she stepped out of the bath, she questioned her heightened desires. After all the demon had said. After everything she’d been through. Surely sex would be the last thing she craved? Despite her doubts, she couldn’t deny her body’s almost painful arousal. When he suddenly appeared at the bathroom door, she gave in to her desires.

“Are you ready for dinner?” His eyes widened as his gaze drifted over her naked body. He let out a deep breath as she moved closer.

“I’m ready for something.” He wanted her. She could see his arousal throbbing against the zipper of his trousers. Why then, did he reach out to hold her at arms’ length? “Don’t you want to make love to me?”

“Always.” He murmured as she traced her fingers across his jawline. “Always and forever.”

“Then take me. Here. Now.”

He closed his eyes for a moment then re-opened them. “Are you sure you want to do this? You’ve been through an ordeal and may still be in shock. I’d be less of a man if I took advantage.”

 A ball of anger coiled in her belly. Heat scorched her skin. Did he want her or not? She offered him pleasure. Would he prefer pain? One way or another, she would quench her thirst. If he knows what’s good for him, he’d better decide quickly.

“If you don’t want me, don’t make excuses.” She turned her back to him and watched his reaction in the mirrored backsplash.

He looked confused, tormented, conflicted. One last push and he’d comply.

“If you really cared for me, you’d show me.” She hid her grin inside. “I need you.”

Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered into her ear. “Tell me what you want. Let me prove my love.”

Snap.

“Take off your clothes.”

To her surprise, he removed them with a wave of his hand.

“Interesting.” Is that something I could learn to do? “What else can you do?”

His fingers traced her skin, from her shoulders down to her hands. As he wove his fingers through hers, he smiled. “What would you like me to do?”

“Lots of naughty, wicked things.”

When he tugged on her hand, drawing her to the bedroom, she shook her head. “If we’re going to do dirty things, we should start in the bathroom.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You want me to join you in the tub?”

“Not yet.” She bit her bottom lip and turned to face the mirrored wall.

“Perhaps you should instruct me. Tell me what you want me to do.”

She smiled up at his reflection. His dilated pupils told her everything she wanted to know. Let the games begin.

“I love this tub, Christoff. The perfect height for a bath.” She bent at the waist, pressing her sex against his throbbing erection. “Don’t you just love sinking in deep? Feeling the rush of heat on your skin. Wrapped in a cocoon of damp, hot, pleasure.”

“Yes.” He groaned, as he entered her with a thrust of his hips. “Deep is very good.”

Supporting her weight with her elbows, she leaned on the edge of the bath. “Do you know what else is nice?”

The rhythm of his thrusts sped up as he succumbed to her game. His heart pounded against her back while his lips caressed her neck. “Tell me, min dyrebare, tell me.”

“The weight of my boobs in your palms. Your fingers squeezing and pinching my nipples into hard peaks.”

He followed her instructions to the letter, but it was not enough. She wanted more. Needed more.

“Harder.” She wailed, as the pressure increased. “I need to feel every inch of you driving into me.”

His hips slammed against her buttocks with ever increasing speed. Their skin slapped together as if applauding their actions. Drops of perspiration fell from his forehead, hitting her back with a sizzle. So hot. When he released her breasts, digging his fingers into her hips, holding her tight as he drove into her, she raised her head and stared into the mirrored back-splash.

Hooded, purple eyes stared back at her from a flushed face. Dark, damp curls stuck to her cheeks and plump lips parted with a groan. With each thrust of their hips, her breasts swung like beautiful, over-ripe fruit, dripping from a sprinkling of summer rain. She’d seen her reflection many times, but never had she appreciated the perfection of a female body. The soft curves. The smooth skin. The sensual allure. Cupping her breasts, she delighted in the sensation of her own hands fondling the heavy orbs. More. Need more.

The reflection looked on as her right hand dropped between her legs and stroked her swollen clit. It smiled its appreciation as she pleasured both herself and Christoff simultaneously. They came together in a rush of adrenaline and heat that shook the room. Literally.

“It must be an earthquake.” Christoff suggested as he dragged her down with him, using the doorframe for protection.

Evangeline knew better. Curled up on his lap, she watched, mesmerized, as the mirror expanded and contracted, finally exploding. Shards of glass flew in all directions but the sting from the slivers of broken mirror did not compare to the pounding pain in her head. Zigzag lines blurred her vision and the familiar aura of flashing colors warned her of an impending migraine. She held her palms to her temples as the blinding pain became too much to bear. The ground beneath them shook. Floor tiles cracked as the concrete beneath it shifted. Strong arms curled around her, holding her, protecting her as the foundations of the house twisted and groaned. Would he hold her so affectionately if he knew that, somehow, she was causing the quakes? If this was the apocalypse that Christoff had mentioned? Would she be responsible for ending the world?