0 comments/ 26962 views/ 8 favorites Shadow Ch. 01 By: shadowkittae Shadow eyed the vampire that prowled restlessly around her room warily. Ignoring his panther like grace and the way the firelight caressed his beautiful face and shone in the midnight waves of his hair, she frantically racked her brains for ways to escape. The door was blocked by his tall figure, and the only window was too narrow for even her skinny frame to pass through. She was trapped. Her expression concealed her inner panic, cool and remote as she clutched the thin towel she wrapped about herself only moments earlier tighter to her chest, knowing that the threadbare scrap of terrycloth barely covered the essentials. She waited, dripping from her bath, for the intruder to speak, to tell her what he wanted. “You were a slave most of your life, yes? “ This was not what she’d expected to come out of his mouth. Her indigo eyes reflected her startlement, and he paused in his pacing to glance at her, smiling slightly at her expression. “Ah, the great Shadow deAngelo is surprised, yes? “ he asked, watching her with eyes as golden as a hawk’s. Her own gaze narrowed. “If you know my name, then you know the answer to your own question. Now here is one of my own. Who are you and what are you doing here? “ she asked coolly, and he chuckled softly. “My manners are terrible I see. My name is Diego. I come bearing a message. “ he said apologetically, and she frowned. “And so you break into my room to deliver it? Your manners aren’t terrible, they’re nonexistent. “ she said, folding her arms across her chest, and he had the grace to flush. “I apologize, but you were bathing, and I couldn’t wait in the corridor for you to finish. Someone might have seen me. “ he said, and she rolled her eyes. “And why do you care who sees you? “ she asked, turning away, stalking towards the battered dresser that held her clothes. “The message is from Prince Rafael. He wanted your privacy guarded. No one is to know that you are here. “ he said, and she stilled. Clutching tee shirt and pants to her chest, she whirled to face him once more. “Rafe? The message is from Rafe? “ she asked sharply, and he nodded. She now took time to look over her ‘visitor’. He had the height and the lean build of the Lamia, and wore a simple black tee shirt and leather pants that clung to the muscles in his legs. His left ear was pierced several times with silver hoops, with one tiny stud gracing the lobe. The stud was a garnet rose, Rafe’s house insignia. Shadow wore one crafted of sapphire, near the delicate point of her elven ear, signifying that she was under the protection of the Rogues, Rafe’s Family and vassals. “So you are of Rafe’s House. What is the message? “ she asked, moving towards the screen that stood in a corner of the room to dress. “He asks that you attend him, as soon as possible. He has a request for you, involving your former profession. “ he said, and she paused in drawing on her pants. “Tell him that I cannot. I don’t do that anymore, and he knows it. Now please leave. I have other business to attend to. “ she snapped, coming out from around the screen, twisting her long hair up into a knot and securing it with pins. Diego bowed. “He will not be happy, but I will convey your message. “ he said, and was gone. Shadow shook her head, knowing that she had best be on guard. No Lamia ever took kindly to being denied, and Rafe would be no exception. ***** Moonlight filtered in through the narrow window, illuminating the shape beneath the thin covers of the bed. Shadow dreamed in the stillness of the night, dark dreams of pain and degradation at the hands of owners long dead, at her own hand. The soft scrape of a boot sole against the floor brought her instantly awake, reaching for the dagger hidden beneath her pillow, but before she could draw it forth, and a weight settled on the bed beside her. A slender hand gripped her scarred wrist, pulling her hand away from the weapon, and she blinked up at Rafe’s grim face in surprise. Preternaturally sharp vision allowed her to see the coolness in his forest green eyes, as well as the faint circles that underlined them. “What are you doing here? “ she asked, and he laughed. Not the carefree sound she’d grown used to over the years, but harsh, bitter laughter that sent a chill down her spine. “What do you think I’m doing here, angel? You refused to come to me. “ he said, and she scowled, trying to sit up, but his free hand pushed her back down. She struggled for a moment, futilely, and then subsided with a glare. Rafe was acting very oddly. Less like himself and more like, well, more like every other Lamia she had ever come across. “I no longer practice the shadow arts. You know that. “ she said, and he smiled slightly. “I know. But there is great need for you to come out of retirement. “ he said, and she shook her head. “No. Forget it. You can’t talk me into it, Rafe. “ she growled, and he smiled again, his eyes taking on a predatory gleam. “There is more than one way to gain your cooperation, sweet Shadow. “ he said, and she laughed coldly. “Rafe, pain was never a great motivator for me. You can’t beat me into submission. Every single owner I ever had tried that, and it never worked.” She said, and he smiled again, reaching into his pocket, withdrawing something that she couldn’t quite make out. “I never was into pain, angel. “ he said, and captured her other wrist, drawing both over her head. She suddenly realized what he had in his hands. “No! Rafe, don’t ! “ she twisted, trying to get free, but he was faster, and stronger than she was. He had her wrists bound to the headboard in seconds. “Shhh- I’m not going to hurt you. “ he said, standing up so he could disrobe. Off came his shirt, then his leather pants. He stood naked in a shaft of moonlight, so beautiful her eyes hurt, and he came down beside her, stroking her face gently before bending and taking her mouth with his own. She strained against the silken cord that bound her, moaning as pleasure shot through her. His hands moved from her face to her chest, his long fingers going to the pierced buds of her nipples, tugging the silver rings gently until they’d darkened and rose achingly erect. He devoured her mouth now, flicking his tongue against her delicate fangs, and she arched against him, whimpering with need as her traitorous body reacted to what he was doing to her. His mouth left hers, trailing down the arched column of her throat, his lips caressing the filigree scar tissue that had been left long ago by a slave collar. He rolled on top of her, his mouth on her breasts, licking and nibbling and suckling on flesh that was as white as his own. His hands swept down the slight flare of her hips, between her legs, feeling her heat, her wetness, and she raised herself in offering as he slid a finger into her sex. “So hot and wet angel. “ he murmured, sliding another finger inside her, and she sobbed out loud as she felt herself draw close to the edge. He knelt up, still fingering her, and watched her with eyes that were silvery with desire. Her own indigo gaze was pure, shining silver as she twisted, seeking that elusive peak, and he chuckled, removing his hands. She cried out the loss, struggling against the rope, twisting her body in effort to free herself. He caught hold of her legs, his hands like bands of steel around her slender thighs, holding her still. “Don’t stop! Please Rafe! I need- “ she broke off with a sob of frustration, and he smiled grimly. “Agree to what I want then. “ he said, and she stilled, staring up at him with eyes rapidly resuming their natural color, and then they were past indigo, and burning violet with fury. “No. “ she spat, and he shrugged. “Your choice. I have all night, and tomorrow, to persuade you. Until you agree, I’ll keep you at the edge of orgasm. “ he said coolly, and she stared at him in horror. “And if I outlast you? “ she asked, and he smiled darkly. “Then Damion comes and takes over. Our Prince is not nearly as kind as I am when he doesn’t get his way. “ Rafe said, and she shuddered at the thought of being in the hands of the exquisite Crown Prince. Damion deSalvatore was the most beautiful man in the entire Otherworld, and could have any woman, or man, that he wanted. Who knew what tortures he would dream up to stir his jaded interest? She had no choice but to submit to Rafe. Damion deSalvatore was to be avoided at all costs. “Once. I’ll take up the shadow arts one more time, but I want your oath that you will never ask this of me ever again. “ she said, and he sighed. “Done. If it weren’t so great a need, I would not ask this of you, angel. “ he said, and she shook her head, giving a bark of bitter laughter. “You did not ask, you demanded. Now your oath. “ she said harshly, and he nodded. “Yes, of course. I Rafael duSant, Prince of the Rogues, do swear upon my life and House, that I will never ask of thee, Shadow deAngelo, to take up the shadow arts again after this one task. “ he said formally, and she smiled. “I, Shadow deAngelo, do hereby accept your oath, Rafael duSant, and if you should break your Word, may your House fall and your life be forfeit. “ she said, and he reached up, releasing her wrists. Both vampire and halfbreed bit their wrists, and pressed the bleeding wounds together, commingling their blood. The oath was sworn. “Now, to finish what I started. “ he murmured, reaching down and pulling her to her knees, burying his hands in the tangled silver waves of her hair, his mouth slanting down over hers. She wove her fingers into his blood red hair, rubbing against him, feeling his cock hard against her belly, and silently urging him to fuck her. He growled, turning her abruptly so her back was pressed against his chest, and parted her legs, lifting her. He slowly lowered her, impaling her on his length, and she whimpered as he stretched her overly full, her head falling back on his shoulder, mouth blindly seeking his. Wrapping one arm about her hips, the other passed between her breasts, his hand gripping her throat as he kissed her savagely. She moaned, feeling her climax building, rotating her hips as he glided in and out of her sex, and he reached down, finding the pierced bud of her clitoris, stroking it until she convulsed in his arms, her orgasm shattering her into thousands of pieces. He groaned into her mouth as he filled her belly with his seed. After long moments, they collapsed to the bed in a sweaty tangle of limbs. He pulled her close, stroking a damp lock of hair out of her eyes, and kissed her forehead tenderly. “We go to my home tomorrow, angel. I will tell you what you need to know then. Sleep now. “ he murmured, and she snuggled close. Tomorrow was soon enough to worry about what she had agreed to. Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep in Rafe’s arms. Shadow Ch. 02 "I would have never pegged you to be the type to live in a monstrosity like this. " Shadow murmured, staring up at the huge, crumbling castle that Rafe called home. He laughed softly, picking up her suitcase and started for the ornately carved double doors. "Oh? And what did you think my taste would run too, angel? " he asked, and she shrugged, following him inside with her book bag slung over one slender shoulder. "Oh, I don't know, something sleek and modern. " she said, stepping into the gloomy foyer behind him, and nearly slammed into him as he came to an abrupt halt. Before them, leaning casually against the banister of the sweeping staircase that lead upstairs was quite possibly the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on in her long life. "I see you're back Rafael. " he said, and the sound of his voice shot right through her. Dark and velvety, sinfully rich- his voice made her think of hot summer nights, and sweaty limbs tangling together on silken sheets. She shivered and edged closer to Rafe, ignoring the heat that was starting to pool in her belly. Rafe didn't take his gaze off the intruder. "What are you doing here? " he asked sharply, and the stranger laughed coolly, pushing away from the banister, stalking towards them. "I got bored waiting. I see you had no trouble convincing her. " he said, and her eyes narrowed as he prowled closer, as graceful and deadly as a panther. She held her ground, even when he stood no more than inches away from her, and tilted her head back so she could see his face. Up close he was even more beautiful. His face was a sculptor's dream, all planes and sharp angels, and he had the most exquisite mouth- a mouth made to glide over a woman's body, a mouth to give the greatest of pleasures. She closed her eyes, cursing under her breath. What the hell was wrong with her? She never had thoughts like this. Her body never reacted like this either. "This is all your fault Rafe. " she muttered, and the stranger looked amused. Rafe, however, didn't. "Shadow, I would like to introduce you to my liege. Shadow deAngelo, Damion deSalvatore. " he said through gritted teeth, and she frowned. Wonderful. The Crown Prince of the entire Otherworld was standing before her, and she was acting like a nitwit. Then the tone of Rafe's voice sank in, and she shot him a fulminating glare. "You don't sound thrilled Rafe. You practically offered me up on a silver platter to our esteemed Prince last night, yet you sound pissed right now. " she asked, one silver brow uplifted, and he had the grace to flush. "I knew you would cave in, angel. It was an empty threat. " he said, and she took a step towards him, eyes narrow and rapidly darkening, shifting towards violet. Before she could take another step, however, the Crown Prince spoke. "Being offered up to me is a threat now? My reputation seems to be slipping. " he drawled, and she whirled to face him. "You arrogant shit! " she exclaimed, and he smiled lazily at her. She felt that smile down to her toes. "Shadow, sweetheart, you forget who you're talking to. " Rafe warned, and she turned to face him with a snarl. It was all too much. First Rafe sent a messenger asking her to do something that she had given up to save her soul and sanity, then he showed up and seduced her into agreeing. Now she was experiencing all these hot, shivery feelings that were caused just by standing before this beautiful, arrogant man called Damion deSalvatore. "That's all right Rafe, I like a sharp tongued woman. It's so much sweeter once I have them purring in my bed. " Damion said, and she flushed scarlet. "Damion, I wouldn't if I were you. " Rafe warned, and his Prince smiled lazily, reaching out and snaring a lock of bright silver hair that had come lose from its customary knot. "You will purr for me, Little One. Tonight. " he said, and she completely lost her temper. With a growl of pure fury, she leapt for his throat. He caught her around the waist, and let out a shout of startlement when she buried six inches of steel in his shoulder, dropping her to the ground. She bounced to her feet, pulling another dagger from the sheath concealed beneath the her long sleeved tee shirt, and would have thrown it, but Rafe tackled her to the ground, pinning both wrists above her head. Damion dropped down next to them, a grim smile touching his mouth. "My what a temper. She'll do for the job. " he said coolly, and she stilled, her gaze returning to its normal indigo color. "That was a test? " she asked, and he nodded. "And you passed with flying colors, Little One. " he said, motioning to Rafe to let her up. The Rogue eyed them both warily before doing so. "That wasn't the smartest thing you've ever done Damion. She could have easily killed you. " he said, helping the halfbreed to her feet. She dusted herself off and glared at both of them. "You are a fool Princeling. " she spat, and grabbed her suitcase. Rafe grabbed her arm. "You're tired angel. Let me show you to your room. Take a nap for a few hours, and then we'll discuss things like rational creatures. " he said soothingly, shooting Damion a fulminating glare. She started to protest then fell silent. She was very tired, as it had been a long trip to Rafe's home. A nap might restore her balance. She would give anything to be able to tell the two vampires to go to hell, but she had promised Rafe she would take up the shadow arts one more time, and she never broke her promises. She allowed him to lead her upstairs. _ _ _ She woke in the darkness, knowing that she wasn't alone, and reached for the knife under her pillow. A hand pinned her wrist to the bed before she could get the hilt in her hand, and a feeling of déjà vu washed over her. "Rafe? " her whisper was loud in the darkness, and her visitor laughed softly. Not Rafe. "Hello Little One. I know you were hoping for Rafael, but you're stuck with me. " Damion's voice was as soft as her own, and she yanked at his hold on her arm. "Let me go. " she hissed, and he rolled her onto her back, straddling her hips. She stilled at the feel of his naked flesh on her own. "I promised to make you purr. " he said by way of explanation when she gazed up at him in confusion, and she swallowed hard. This was not happening. "I know your history, Little One. I know who has owned you, and some of what they have done to you. I know that before last night you have never received pleasure. " he murmured, sliding his fingers through her hair, pulling the jet pins that secured the tangles mass free. "What of it? " she asked, trying to work up the energy to pull her head away from his long fingers, trying not to whimper with the pleasure of his touch. "Your target, the one that we need you to kill, is Joaquin. " he murmured, fisting his hands in her hair, pulling her head up. She froze, her breath trapped in her throat as the enormity of what he had just said slammed through her. "No, no. Come back to me. " he said very softly, lowering his mouth to her skin, tracing the outline of her lips gently. She shoved him back, scrambling out from beneath him. "No! I can't go after him! He almost destroyed me once, I can't allow him another chance to try again. " she cried, and Damion reached for her, slipping his arms around her waist, holding her against him, her back against his front. "He has my sister, Little One. I need him destroyed, and you're the only one that can do it. You know him, know what he is capable of. " he murmured softly in her ear, stroking his hand down her belly, over one long thigh. "I need you to help us, help me. " he said softly, the arm around her waist moving, his hand sliding upward to cup one round breast in its palm. She shuddered at his touch, tried to fight off the desire that was rising with intoxicating speed. " "Why are you here? " she managed, needing to hear his answer, wanting it to be something other than what it was. "Because I want you. I've heard tales of you over the centuries, studied you the past three months. And I saw you standing beside Rafe this afternoon, so small and fierce, and knew that I had to have you. " he said, sliding his hand between her legs, feeling her heat. She moaned, very softly, and he smiled against her hair. "But why? Why do you want me? I'm nothing like the women you sleep with. I'm short, and scrawny and my face- " his hand cupped her jaw, turned her face to his. "No. " he said quietly, and then his mouth was sealed over hers. Heat. That's all her world was. His lips moved on hers fiercely, possessively, his tongue delving into the honey cave of her mouth. The hand between her legs moved, and she cried out as his fingers delved inside her, stretching her, pleasuring her. His hand moved from her hair to her breasts, long, slender fingers toying with the delicate silver rings that pierced her flesh, and she went wild in his arms. She could feel him lying hot and heavy against the small of her back, and she reached around, taking him in her hand. Shadow pulled away from him abruptly, and he drew her back, his ebony eyes silvered as he gazed down into her face. "What's wrong? " he asked, and she laughed breathlessly before replying. "You're too big. It's not going to fit. " she managed, and he chuckled, nuzzling her throat. "I promise it will fit. Kiss me again. I can't get enough of your mouth sweeting. " he murmured, and she sighed as his fingers moved inside her, whimpering as his thumb found her clit. She kissed him, sliding her tongue into his mouth, tasting him as he had tasted her. Abruptly, he released her, his hands on her hips, turning her and laying her back on the bed. "I can't promise to be gentle. " he warned, and then he was sliding inside her. She whimpered at the pain of him stretching her, moved restlessly against the sheets beneath her. His hands locked on her hips, tilting her pelvis up, holding her still as he thrust all the way inside her. Her head twisted against the pillows as he filled her uncomfortably full, and then her was sliding out, almost completely out, her sex like a wet, velvet glove closing around him as he thrust home. He reached between their bodies, his fingers gliding over the slick nubbin of pierced flesh between her legs, and she moaned, shuddered as he drove her towards orgasm. "Wrap your legs around me, Shadow-mine. " he instructed, and she scissored those long legs around his hips, her arms sliding around his shoulders as he lowered his body to hers. His mouth covered hers once more, his tongue thrusting in her mouth like his cock thrust into her sex below, and his arms slipped under her, hands gripping her shoulders. "Come for me. I want to watch you shatter. " he whispered, pulling her down upon him, her hips twisted, rose, and her short nails dug into his back, scratching as he drove her to the edge- and then over. She screamed his name- "Damion! " and stiffened in his arms, her gaze locking with his and blind as she shattered into a million pieces. He held her as her orgasm tore through her, feeling her body shudder and shake in his arms. And then he was thrusting hard, not giving her anytime to rest, driving her back up to that peak with him. "Now! Come Now! " she cried, her legs tightening, pulling him deep, and he exploded, her name on his lips as his seed spilled inside her belly. They collapsed together, Damion pulling her into the circle of his arms, pushing her hair out of her face and kissing her forehead tenderly. Shadow curled into his embrace, head pillowed on his shoulder, one long leg draped across his hip. He smiled down at her, his eyes still faintly silvered, and she looked up at him warily. "I knew it would be like this. " he said quietly, and one silver eyebrow lifted. "Hot. Perfect. I knew it the moment I saw you, heard your voice. " he murmured, and she laughed shakily. "I want you again and again and again. " he confessed, and she sighed. "I don't think- " he cut her off with a shake of his head. "No, don't deny me right now. Later, maybe, and I'll try and talk you out of it, but not now. There's enough on both of our plates to deal with. " he said, and she sighed, but said nothing. He held her close, and they both drifted of for a few hours of much needed rest. Shadow Ch. 03 Shadow sat before the fire burning in Rafe’s study, morosely watching the flames dancing in the hearth. Damion was still above stairs, dressing for dinner, leaving her alone with the Rogue. “What’s bothering you, angel?” Rafe asked, settling down beside her on the floor, and held out a cut-glass tumbler filled with whiskey. Not looking at him, she accepted the glass, taking a long sip before answering. “You should have told me that Joaquin was my target.” She murmured, and he swore softly. “When did Damion tell you? You were sleeping up till ten minutes ago.” He said, and she shot him a narrow- eyed look. “Do the two of you honestly believe sex will keep me complacent and willing to do as you ask? I’ve already promised you that I would take on this one last job. Fucking me isn’t necessary.” She said darkly, turning her attention back to the flames, sipping at her drink. Rafe swore, rose to his feet, his expression thunderous. “I apologize. You’re a guest in my house- not a bed slave. I will inform my Prince that you are to be left alone. “ He said stiffly, and she snorted, shook her head. “Sit down Rafe. It’s no big deal. I just don’t like feeling as if I’m being placated with sex. To be perfectly honest, between the two of you, I should be a very happy little girl.” She sipped her drink, laughed silently. “Neither one of you is hard on the eyes- just the opposite in fact. Both of you gave me pleasure for the first time in my life.” She added, and he sighed, sinking back down beside her. They both felt Damion enter the room, and Rafe scowled at his Prince and best friend. Shadow merely continued staring into the fire, nursing her drink, ignoring them both. Damion settled on the settee, meeting Rafe’s angry green gaze with chilling midnight. “Is there a problem, Rafael?” He asked quietly, and the Rogue laughed humorlessly. “What do you think, Your Highness?” Rafe answered, and Damion sighed. “Did I hurt you, Shadow-mine? “ He asked her, and she shot him a startled look. “No.” She answered, and the Prince looked back at Rafe. “See, she’s fine.” He said, and the Rogue rose to his feet once more, looking down at his elegantly sprawled friend with thinly veiled disgust. “She’s not here to warm either of our beds, my prince,” Rafe spat, and one of Damion’s brows rose sharply at this, but he remained silent. Rafe continued. “She’s here because Joaquin needs to be removed. I admit I coerced her last night- but the situation is desperate. “The grigorii are flying, and you know what that means.” The Rogue said, and Shadow went ashen. “They fly? You didn’t tell me this last night!” She rose to her feet, her dark eyes even darker, nearer to black than their customary indigo. Damion sat up quickly, his gaze on the halfbreed. She was beginning to look like a cornered animal rather than the fierce little creature that had stabbed him earlier- or the soft, hot woman whom he had bedded not hours before. Rafe stared at her as she paced away from them both, her arms wrapped around herself as if she were cold. Damion rose from his seat in front of the fire, moving across the room and catching her in his arms. She went stiff, and he saw the panic in her gaze as the white triangle of her face turned up. “Damion- let her go!” Rafe near shouted as he saw the glint of steel emerging in a blur from under her sleeve, but the other vampire merely caught her wrist, and the sharp little blade fell to the floor with a muted ‘thump’. She tried yanking away from him, but he was bigger then she, and stronger. He merely caught both of her wrists in one hand, pinning them against his chest, resisting her increasingly wild struggles with a grimace. She was only about 5’3”, and couldn’t have weighed more than a hundred pounds, if that, but like most of their kind, she was deceptively strong. “What-?” He asked, and Rafe frowned. “Mention of the grigorii. Bring her here. We need to calm her before she hurts herself.” He said urgently, motioning to the settee, and Damion let out a sharp bark of laughter. “I’d be more afraid that she would hurt one of us.” He muttered, but managed to drag her back to the settee, and Rafe grabbed her legs as she tried kicking the Prince. Between the two of them they managed to bear her down, Damion propped against the arm of the little sofa, the halfbreed’s back against his chest, holding her arms in front of her, and Rafe pinned her legs down so she couldn’t kick him. Luckily, she was barefoot, and unable to do too much damage before they had her securely restrained. “Shhh- talk to us, angel. Tell us what’s wrong.” Rafe murmured, but her struggles didn’t abate. Instead they intensified. Damion sighed, then fisted one hand in her loose hair, drawing her head back to bare the long, slender column of her throat. “Forgive me, Little One.” He muttered, and his head arced down. The firelight caught the gleam of long, razor sharp fangs before they sank into her milky flesh, and both vampire and halfbreed shuddered. Shadow’s struggles eased, then ceased altogether as he Fed, and Rafe watched in fascination as she went quiescent in his Prince’s embrace. For long moments, the only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire, and then Damion was drawing away from her neck, his breath coming hard. His midnight eyes were silver and lit with the lavender and sky blue flame of fury, desire mixed with rage, and Rafe shuddered at the sight. He’d never seen that expression on Damion’s face, not in all the centuries- nearly a millennia- they had known each other. Shadow lay as if drugged, her gaze unfocused, fixed upon something Rafe couldn’t see. “Go ahead sweeting, tell him. “ Damion murmured, and she drew a shuddering breath, abruptly focusing on the Rogue, and the present instead of the past. “I was wrong, you see. I thought it was hurting because the anniversary was nearing. I didn’t realize that they were flying. “ She said softly, and Rafe frowned. He didn’t understand. Seeing his confused expression she scowled, and struggled to sit up. Damion started to restrain her, but she shot him a scowl and he subsided. Reaching down, she grabbed the hem of her shirt, yanking it up in off and twisting so he could see her back. Faint, silvery lines marred the snowy white flesh from shoulder to hips, but old scars left by countless centuries of whippings didn’t hold his attention. His eyes couldn’t leave the angry red branding emblazoned over her right shoulder blade. A crucified angel- the mark of the grigorii. She gazed at him over her shoulder, her eyes drowning blue in the absolute whiteness of her face, and her mouth twisted into a horrible parody of a smile. “It’s red, isn’t it? “ She asked, and he nodded wordlessly. With a savage laugh, she turned in Damion’s arms, seemingly unaware of her half-naked state. Neither vampire noticed. Damion wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close, and Rafe noted the haunted expression in his eyes. Damion had taken her blood, had slipped into her mind, had seen her past. Rafe shuddered, knowing without being told that Shadow deAngelo’s mind was a scary place to be even under normal circumstances. In a full-blown panic- he felt ill. She unsnapped the leather bracelets that circled her wrists, reached up and unhooked the wide black ribbon that circled her throat. Thick, pale scar tissue wrapped around both wrists, nearly three inches wide. The filigree pattern of the slave collars of Aurelis circled her neck. Rafe swallowed convulsively so he wouldn’t be ill. “I tried killing Joaquin before, you know. I failed. These scars are the price of that failure. “ She stroked the scars on her wrists, then her eyes rose to his, near violet with remembered pain and fury. “I was Joaquin’s slave for nearly twenty years. He made me what I am. I failed to kill him, and he gave me to those monsters as a toy. I spent a year in their Eyrie, as their property. Their King claimed me as his own, burned their mark in my flesh while I hung from a hook in the ceiling like a piece of meat. Do you know what leaves scars like these, Rafe? No? I’ll share their secret with you then. Razor wire. They bound me with razor wire and hung me from a hook, branded and raped me. The wire cuts very deep when you twist in agony. They had to unwrap it from the bone. I couldn’t speak for a week. I had screamed so much I tore something in my throat.” She said, and Damion held her tight. Rafe could only stare. “So much pain sweeting, and we ask you to relive it. “ The Prince murmured, nuzzling her hair, and she laughed. “I want Joaquin dead more than anything, deSalvatore. That’s the real reason why I allowed Rafe to coerce me into this. But with the grigorii flying, we have a problem. “ She said, and he gave her an inquisitive look. “You have to collar me. They’ll find me if you don’t. And if they find me, they will drag me back to Joaquin, and I will be dead- or as good as dead.” She said quietly, and Rafe recoiled from the thought. Damion stiffened. “Oh yes. It appears I will be going back into slavery after all. “ She commented bitterly, and Damion cupped her chin, turning her face to his. “An act, Shadow-mine. It will just be an act.” He whispered against her mouth, and she smiled darkly. “Collared is still collared.” She said softly, and he groaned at the thought of the halfbreed wearing nothing but a slave collar, and in his bed. He grew immediately hard. His mouth sealed over hers, and she melted into him, her kiss desperate. The thought of being under someone else’s control, no matter how loose the reins, was frightening after independence. She tore her mouth free, looking at both vampires. “I need you both.” She drew an unsteady breath. “I need you both to keep me from losing my sanity. “ She finished raggedly, reaching out and dragging Rafe to her, sliding her hands beneath his tee shirt, raking her nails down his smooth chest. Neither vampire mistook her meaning. Neither was willing to ignore her plea. Rafe fumbled at the tie of her drawstring pants, tugging the knot free and sliding the soft cotton over her hips and down her legs, taking tiny scrap of material that were her underwear with them- tossing both to the floor. His arms slid around her, dragging her into his lap as Damion pulled his sweater over his head, cashmere falling to the floor. Shadow wrapped her legs around Rafe’s waist, lifting her face to his, her hands sliding into his crimson hair to tug his mouth down to hers. Damion shed his pants and boxers, silk and fine wool thrown heedlessly on the floor. He slipped off the settee to the floor, his arms snaking around her waist to pull her down with him as Rafe stood to disrobe. The Prince’s mouth slid hotly along the curve of her throat as they both watched the Rogue strip, revealing a body as white as the halfbreed’s. Shadow held out her arms to Rafe, and he went willingly, his mouth capturing hers as the three sprawled in front of the fire. Damion’s hands cupped her breasts from behind, stroking over her pale nipples until they tightened, darkened to rose. Rafe’s mouth glided over her skin softly, his hand slipping between her legs, cupping her, stroking the dampness at the apex of her thighs until her honey slicked his fingers and she moaned, writhing slowly between them. Damion turned her so she faced him, his mouth catching and holding hers, swallowing her cries as Rafe’s fingers glided between the round globes of her ass, spreading her moisture. Her nails dug into Damion’s shoulders as Rafe anointed himself with her dew, then shifted upwards, the thick head of his cock pressing against the delicate rosette of her anus. Damion’s hands glided between her legs, finding the pierced button of her clit and stroking it as the other vampire began to press himself inside her, drinking in her cries of pain-tinged pleasure. He delved his fingers inside her heat, bringing her to the brink as the head of Rafe’s cock breached her ass, then shoved her over the precipice. Her mouth left his in a wordless cry as she orgasmed, and he withdrew his fingers, replacing them with his own length while she was still climaxing. They both slid home, sinking all the way inside her, and they both held very still so she could adjust. She whimpered mindlessly at the feeling of being so stuffed, never believing that she could take them both, and couldn’t stay still. Her restless movements shifted them inside her, and both vampires groaned aloud at the sensation of being ensconced in her tight passages. They could feel each other through the thin barrier of her sex and rectum, and every time one shifted the tiniest bit, the other felt it. “Fuck me, please? “ she moaned, licking her lips, and Damion slid one hand up her leg, lifting it over her hip. He nearly spent right then and there as he sank even deeper inside her. Wordlessly, but by some unspoken signal, both Damion and Rafe began to move, one after the other so as not to be forced out of the tender portions of her anatomy they occupied. Damion’s mouth covered hers once more, and Rafe’s lips glided across her throat, his teeth gently scraping the skin as his hands cupped her breasts, toying with her nipples. Damion’s hands cupped her ass, moving her in time with his thrusts, guiding her on a slow, leisurely ride. She twisted between them, another orgasm building, and they quickened their pace, both needing to climax with her. She tightened exquisitely around them rhythmically, drawing them both up that steep precipice with her. Both Damion and Rafe’s fingers bit into her soft flesh as they climaxed, and she shattered into a thousand tiny pieces with them. Afterwards they all lay tangled together, ivory and white limbs glistening in the firelight as both vampires cuddled her close. She lay with her cheek on Damion’s shoulder, eyes closed, and Rafe’s thigh nudged between hers, his chest a very solid and comforting presence at her back. Her fears were temporarily put aside as she basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking.