Page 21 of Master Bistrita

I pull my long blade from its sheath, just as two rogues appears behind Taylen. I slice off the first rogue's head, letting it bounce to the ground as she turns to battle the other one so I can drive my stake through the bloodthirsty vampire’s heart. The minute that deed is done, we’re inundated with three more, but Taylen is fierce and fights with the power and skill of a warrior who has been trained to kill. She manages to get the best of the rogue, pinning him to the wall with her long, steely blade, not hesitating once to run him through, and immediately and expertly driving a stake into his dark-souled heart before he can transport back to where he came.

A force to be reckoned with, she battles the remaining rogues, helping me keep my beauty safe in the panic room only four doors down. The last rogue standing eyes me with suspicion, debating his chances of transporting away, whether Lucas will allow him to live if he thinks he’s been compromised, or if he has a better chance with me.

He decides to stay the course and lifts his sword, but it’s the last gesture the bloodthirsty bastard will make, because no one messes with the people I care about, and most certainly not my future mate. When I’ve driven the stake through his heart and there is no chance of any of their escape, I look to Taylen, glancing quickly to make sure she hasn’t been injured. “You fought valiantly and should be proud.”

Taylen beams. “Thank you,” is all she says, although I already know she was training for a spot with the warriors until they were disbanded and can see her taking a seat at their prestigious table one day in the very near future. “When Overmaster Descallia begins putting the group back together, the masters will be part of the selection process. If you’re still interested in a position with the warriors, I can’t promise you one, but I can promise you that I’ll vouch for your skill in battling the rogues.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. “Thank you so much. That’s more than I could ask for.” She gestures toward the panic room. “We should probably let her out. I can hear Chara’s mind going a million miles a minute.”

I smirk because my future mate may be a handful indeed. “I’ll take care of it. I have a key. Thanks again for your help. Why don’t you run downstairs, let the others know it’s clear up here, and see if the guys can help you with getting these bodies out of here.”

Taylen nods. “Do we know where the other rogues are at?”

“Not yet, but we will soon. We’re done chasing them, we’re going to bring them back to us.” Taylen’s eyes go wide. “Back here?”

I grin. “If need be, but not likely. Go and see if we can get this carnage out of the way before my tender-hearted mate has to see what’s left of the bastards.”

She laughs. “Will do, Master Bistrita.”

I walk with purpose to the door of the panic room, grateful that the remodel included one on every floor, so no matter where or who was in danger, there was a very near and safe place to go. It has more than served us well on many an occasion, but most especially today.

I put my key in the door, and the minute it opens, my future mate flings herself into my arms, holding me tightly. “I thought our future was lost. I thought destiny was wrong. I thought I would never get to feel your arms around me again, or your kiss on my lips. I think they were trying to get to me through the door but couldn’t.”

“Shhh, love. The door is lined with silver. We have a lifetime of those things, but right now, I have one thing on my mind, and that is making you mine.” I kick the door closed with the toe of my boot and lock it again before picking her up, carrying her to the bedroom, and placing her gently on the bed.

It is with great restraint that I don’t smother her with kisses and claim her right here and now, but she is still on hyper alert, her eyes tracking the blood on my clothing after what happened today. She needs time to process, to calm while I get cleaned up.

I push a strand of her red hair from her face. “We’ve taken out all the shifters, but the rogues almost took us out in the caverns. They must have double backed or split up so they could grab you here, knowing Natalia was with us. Master Oradea had her glued to his hip the entire time, with masters flanking their sides. I didn’t think they would be able to get through the perimeter again, which tells me things I was hoping weren’t so.”

Chara’s eyes crinkle with confusion, but she’s had enough to deal with today. I’ll fill her in more when the timing is right, and her heart and mind are not racing with fear, angst, relief, desire, love, and confusion.

I tilt her chin to me so I can look into her emotion-pooled eyes. “You did well today, love. It is not easy to stay put when you want to help and do so much. Staying behind this locked door was the only thing that saved your life while Taylen and I battled the rogues.”

She nods, taking it all in, but still her blood races faster than it should. I vow to calm her with every stroke of my touch as soon as I’ve washed the blood from my skin. “Stay here, love. I promise to take your mind off everything as soon as I return.”

Chapter 16

Chara

Everything about the vampire master ignites my desire, his dark, knowing eyes, the way he fights to the death for me, even the fact that he comes coated with blood to claim me for his very own. I should feel repulsed by the sight of it, yet something draws me to my protector even more, knowing the blood was drawn in an effort to protect me, the one he chose as his mate.

My body heats as he closes the door, and the shower turns on, knowing before walking through that door that I’ll find him naked and wanting, but holding himself back to clean for me. He’s the dominant, yet everything said I have the power in our exchange. Surely it can’t be wrong to want to calm him and to care for him after whatever battle he went through.

He glances up, sensing me, mid-stroke, washing the blood from his muscled arm. I slide my top over my head, urged on by the heat in his eyes, then step out of my pants and panties as they slide to the floor. “I’m new to the dominant/submissive roles. I’m sure you’ll teach me if I’m doing this wrong,” I whisper, walking toward the open entry of the stone shower.

Bistrita’s eyes darken, glowing red embers around the periphery. He holds out a hand, and I place my palm in his, immediately energized by our connection. My chest beats harder as the desire between us mingles and floats through the air. He pulls me toward him, cradling the back of my neck, before taking my breath away with his kiss. When he finally draws away from my lips, my center is thrumming with unleashed desire. My finger traces the tear to his skin that was just there moments ago, and I look up at him, questioning.

“We heal ourselves. It does not usually take long.”

My fingers wander over his broad shoulders and along the corded veins of his neck, until his hands stop me from moving to his hair. “Turn and face the wall.”

I inhale a deep breath and do as he’s asked, turning away from him and placing my hands on the coolness of the stone, with blind and unwavering trust. I stand there for at least five minutes, my chest heaving with desire as his gaze heats the skin of the back of my legs, buttocks, and the curve of my spine. He nuzzles the sensitive shell of my ear with the stubble from his face, sending a shiver right to my core. “You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen, love. Turn to face me now,” he commands.

I do as he asks without hesitation, already fully comprehending the appeal of letting someone else take the reins, doling out a mind-numbing sensual experience without touching me at all. Because just his voice sends shards of desire everywhere, right down to the very tips of my toes.

Bistrita’s gaze is a brilliant red as he appraises my breasts, the inward concave of my belly and thighs, right down to my suds-covered feet. His eyes draw mine to his as the heat of his passion soars right along with my own. But still, he commands me to stay right where I am, without so much as a word. He has not told me to move, so I don’t.

There is no way to avoid watching him wash himself with that cloth. He lathers it up with a fresh-scented soap and begins stroking his skin along the corded muscles of his forearms, upper arms, and shoulders, watching me intently as he moves to his rock-hard abdomen leaving a trail of soap as he heads below.

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