I watched Jackal sleep, marvelling at his beauty. His cheekbones were so pronounced it was absurd—his jawline so sharp it could cut glass. His eyelashes rested on his cheeks as he dozed, his plump lips open as he exhaled.
Is he really a vampire?
I peered at him, taking in his pale appearance and the fangs slightly visible through his mouth.
I reached out to touch his hand, the shock of the ice-cold temperature sending me reeling.
Okay, he's a vampire.
But…he didn't attack me. He didn't bite me and turn me into a vampire; he made me cum and moan against him, then he left.
Then you woke up to this.
The wind howled outside, and I turned my attention to the empty mirror.
Where was Loren?
More to the point, where was Bale?
My eyes flickered back to Jackal, who looked dead.
I guess that's because he is.
Bale terrified me.
I could imagine his prowling around outside, watching and waiting for the right moment to attack me.
Jackal said he couldn't defend me…so what would happen?
Nausea swept over me as I put the teapot back on the stove, hoping for some more of the soothing tea from earlier.
My ears pricked when I heard a faint scratching noise coming from the far end of the house. I took a deep breath and stepped closer, tilting my head as I listened.
It could be branches. Branches stroking the exterior walls, that's all. It's windy.
"Or it could be the devil himself," Jackal whispered in my ear as I jumped, knocking over a pile of books.
"God!" I hissed, clutching my chest as Jackal gazed at me, his eyes swirling with honey that mirrored mine. "Can you not do that?"
He was so close I could smell his scent, which was surprisingly sweet and citrusy.
"I like citrus fruits." Jackal grinned, pressing his finger to my lips. "But that sound you can hear? It's not branches."
I froze as he tilted his head, frowning.
"It's him."
I gulped, and Jackal stroked my cheek, trying to calm me.
"What does he want?" I whispered, clutching Jackal close to me.
Jackal sighed, his eyes following the creaks as the scratching sound moved above us.
"Right now? He's probably looking for a way in."
My stomach dropped, and I buried my head in Jackal's neck in fear.
"Please don't let him take me," I whimpered, feeling every inch the pathetic girl that I was.
Jackal let his hand rest on my back, his lips turning to a pout as he looked down at me.
"You're asking me to die for you."
"No," I gasped, but he tilted my head back, pressing me to the counter behind me.
"You're beautiful, for sure, but I'm not prepared to die for you just yet."
His finger trailed down my jaw, and I shivered, temporarily forgetting about the creature stalking me.
"But I can distract you."
Jackal dipped his head, his lips brushing against mine as the scratching grew louder.
"Focus on me. He feeds on your fear," Jackal said, teasing me with his tongue.
Dizziness swept over me when he lifted me to the counter, dragging me towards him as he bit my lower lip.
"I want to fuck you so bad," Jackal muttered, and my heart leaped out of my chest. "I mean if we're both going to die—"
"What?!" I stared at him as he chuckled.
"It was worth a try. Your old witch has this place covered. He isn't getting in, doll."
Jackal pressed his lips back to mine, moving his lips to my neck as my eyes rolled in my head.
Through the window across from us, I saw him.
Bale.
I wrapped my legs around Jackal, desperately trying to tell him Bale was behind him.
Burning red eyes stared at us through the glass as we made out, and Jackal lifted his lips to my ear.
"I don't care if he watches."
"I do!"
I was near tears from fear, but Jackal swept me into his arms, carrying me into the room we'd been sleeping in earlier.
"Now he can't see. Focus on me, witch."
Something changed within me as he spoke, and a growl of frustration sounded from outside.
"We're winning," Jackal muttered, reaching behind my neck as he tugged me onto his lap.
My legs fell on either side of him, and I groaned as he ran his fingers up my thigh, searching for the sweet spot he found yesterday.
"I can't do this with him here," I lied, rocking my hips as Jackal's fingers found their way into me, his eyes glowing as I stared down at him.
"You're doing it," Jackal growled, returning his lips to mine.
The noises surrounding us fell silent, but we didn't stop.
"Let me fuck you, witch."
"You're a vampire! What if I get pregnant?" I sank my teeth into my lip as Jackal smirked, curling his fingers inside of me, moving me closer to him.
"Then I'll definitely have to die for you."
"You said you couldn't get me pregnant," I reminded him, my hands gripping his face as I kissed him, licking and sucking his lips until he moved us around so that he was on top of me, the throbbing between my legs causing physical pain.
"Yeah, well, I lied."
His fingers tore at my dress, and I panicked, wondering if he was going to kill me through sex.
"Wait, stop," I whispered, holding his face in mine, staring into the amber orbs that burned for me. "I'm scared you're going to hurt me."
Jackal moved back, blinking like he'd been under some kind of spell.
"Fucking enchantress."
"Huh?" I scrambled to my feet as he groaned, watching me.
"You're so tempting. But you're right; you're not strong enough for me to fuck you. Not how I want to, anyway."
Jackal gave me a thin smile, adjusting his trousers with a grimace.
"You better put some clothes on, or I'm fucking you regardless," Jackal commanded, leaning back and closing his eyes.
"It's your fault. You tore my dress," I muttered, trying to cover myself.
"I'm a vampire. Sorry." Jackal snapped.
"Well, I'm a human."
"Except you're not. Did you find any spells or anything while I slept?"
No. I watched you sleep.
"No."
Jackal rolled his eyes, glancing at the mirror.
"Summon your granny. Ask her what to do because I need to go and eat."
"Eat?" I panicked, staring outside.
Jackal sighed, rising to his feet. He must've been over six feet tall, looming over me with his fuck-me-eyes.
"You know, go for a steak. I need to eat."
"But Bale—"
Jackal cut me off, pressing his lips to mine.
I melted into his arms, and the kiss deepened. Jackal dragged himself back, throwing me onto the sofa with a snarl.
"Stop tempting me!"
"You kissed me!" I argued, jumping to my feet.
Jackal laughed, shaking his head at me.
"You're not scared of me at all, are you, titch?"
Titch?!
"No, but I'm scared of what that thing outside can do! To you and me!"
Jackal's face softened, and he ruffled my hair before striding to the door.
"He isn't interested in me. The spells and charms on this house will keep you safe until you come up with a better plan. I'll be back soon. Don't wait up."
To my horror, Jackal strode out of the door, the chilly air slicing through me as I ran to bolt it behind him.
I peered out of the window, praying he'd gotten away safely.
The woods were unforgiving at night; the trees seemed to bend forward menacingly, hiding any moonlight from view.
I stepped back when the teapot screeched, reminding me it had been there a while.
I took it off the heat, turning back to the window.
Jackal was nowhere to be seen.