The Beacon (The Original's Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  His sated cock twitched back to life. “Witch.”

  She grinned.

  James stood and laid her back on the ottoman, the cushion just long enough to support her from head to lower back, leaving her ass hanging off the end. “My turn.” He kneeled between her legs, drew off his shirt and wiped his come from her belly. Still, his scent remained on her skin, mingling with hers, and Christ, did he like that.

  He kissed the bend in her knee. Licked up her inner thigh and then paused. Let her feel the heat of his breath on her pussy. She squirmed, trying to get closer. “James.” His name, one long, needy moan.

  Hell, yeah. He liked that. Wanted more. He stood, leaning over her but not touching her anywhere, his hands braced on the cushion on either side of her. “Again.”

  She arched, grabbing his arms, her gaze spearing into him. “James.”

  He lowered himself, only his lips touching her, grazing along her nipple.

  She thrust up, pressing herself to his mouth and he let her have her way, sucking her deep, battering the hardened nub with his tongue.

  Gasping, she cradled his head. Her thighs brushed his jean-clad legs, trying to tighten around him, trying to lift her pussy high enough to reach him.

  He nipped her, ran the uneven edges of his teeth over her nipple. “Behave.”

  “I need more.”

  Changing course, he suckled her other breast until he drew a moan from her. Until she writhed and gasped, demanding release.

  “What do you want?”

  “You.”

  He nipped her again. “I'm right here.”

  Her teeth clenched and she tried arching up again. He kept himself just out of reach. “In me. I want you in me.”

  Ah, God, he wanted the same. But she already had him hard as forged steel again. And she was damned close to finding release. If he took her now, he'd come as soon as her body convulsed around him. He wanted tonight to last. “Not yet.”

  He pushed away from her and she cried out. Tried to follow him. He shook his head, staying her with a look.

  Her gaze remained locked on him as he finished undressing, her body never still, searching, wanting.

  How the hell had he gotten so lucky? It seemed unnatural to him, such a beautiful young woman wanting him. But he couldn't doubt what he saw. Couldn't ignore the scent of her need. She wanted him. Him.

  He knelt between her legs again, and licked over her damp curls. She cried out.

  Christ, that was good. Honey and musk. He parted her folds with his fingers, baring her pink flesh and set in to drive her wild.

  ***

  Had she said erotic? Hedonistic?

  She might have asked for more than was wise.

  He feasted on her, leaving her an over-sensitized puddle of writhing nerve endings. Her nipples peaked straight and hard, her thighs trembled and her pussy, dear gods, her pussy threw sparks and shivers streaking over her flesh in an endless demand for more. She arched, trying to push herself deeper to his mouth. He hauled her legs over his shoulders without lifting his face from her. Ended her ability to have any sense of control over what he did to her. He held one of her thighs, but released the other.

  His fingers slid into her.

  “Ah.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “James.”

  The slick glide of his tongue rolled over her clit. He pumped his fingers into her, curling them with each outward stroke.

  Pleasure exploded, rippling over her body and making her twitch and writhe. “James.”

  As the waves of euphoria subsided, he stroked his lips over her thigh. Her belly. Paused to nuzzle and suckle her breast.

  His weight pressed her into the cushion, his cock teased the upper rise of her slit, and her body reignited.

  “Beautiful.” He kissed her.

  She tilted her hips up, shivering when the broad head of his cock slid over her clit again. She gripped the back of his head, wrapped her other arm around his neck.

  James lifted her and stood. He turned, laying her down on the couch. As he came down on top of her, he hitched her leg over his hip, her other hung off the edge from the knee down, leaving him plenty of room. Leaving her spread wide open.

  He lifted just enough to get his hand between their bodies. His thumb slid across her clit.

  She was close. So close.

  His hips flexed against hers and the head of his cock slid past her entrance. Just. Holding her open, but going no deeper. Teasing her.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, gripping his shoulders and arching her back. There wasn't an ounce of give in him. “Please.”

  He rained kisses along her jaw, pausing to teethe her earlobe, to rake his teeth down her throat. Shivers exploded across her skin.

  He sucked her nipple into his mouth, and her world shattered. Her whole body jerked and shuddered, the weight of his body the one thing keeping her grounded.

  Still, she wanted more. She wrapped her body around his, her legs circling his waist, her arms pulling him closer.

  She opened her eyes and found him watching her.

  “Now you're mine.” He flexed his hips.

  Lilith's lips parted on a gasp as he filled her. She arched, lifting her legs higher, spreading them wider, as if doing so would give his cock more space. The intimate invasion left her trembling, as her body struggled to accommodate him.

  But, dear gods, yes.

  He stroked his thumb over her cheek. “You okay?”

  She shook her head. Nodded. Held onto him for dear life.

  And he slid the rest of the way in.

  Overwhelmed, Lilith bit his shoulder. A small retaliation for the way he had her pinned beneath his weight, spread wide, stretched open, vulnerable and possessed.

  The beast chuckled.

  And then he started to move and she forgave him. Wrapped him tight in a full body embrace and moved with him. Pressed her mouth to the thick cords of muscle in his neck. Nipped. Sucked. Gods, he was hard as hell everywhere. His muscles bunched under her hands.

  He lifted partially off her, raking his gaze down her body, watching where they joined. Her gaze chased after his. Locked onto the sight of his sex-slicked length easing out of her body only to sink right back in. She stroked her hands down his chest, lightly pinching his nipple before lifting up to stroke her tongue over the hardened nub.

  Holding her tight to his chest, he sat back on his heels, then back on his ass, reversing their positions. “Mm.” He reached up to fondle her breasts. “I like this.”

  She rotated her hips, her lips parting as her clit rubbed against him. “Me, too.” She leaned forward, arching her back so he could suckle her breasts while she rode him. Another orgasm slowly built, so sharp, so strong she almost feared it. She tried to slow her pace, to ease away, but he wouldn't let her. He held her tight, his strength adding force to each thrust, his hips rising to meet hers, sinking him deep, his cock touching just the right spot over and over. “James.”

  “Say it again.”

  “Can't.” She couldn't catch her breath. “Gonna make me scream.”

  Harder. Faster. Each thrust bussing her clit.

  “Good. I want the whole damn world to know you’re mine.”

  His mouth fastened to her breast and stars burst behind her eyes. Her whole body convulsed and she did scream his name.

  Still he kept after her. Their bodies slapping together. Their breathing harsh. The scent of their arousal thick around them.

  He tensed beneath her. His whole body surrounding her as he shouted her name.

  His grip eased and she rested, boneless, over his chest trying to catch her breath. “Hope . . . I'm not . . . too heavy. Can't move.”

  She bounced a bit with his laughter. His arms came around her and he kissed the top of her head.

  “You move . . . I'll just drag you right back.”

  Gods, she loved this male.

  ***

  Lilith rubbed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to curl back up in James' arms. They'd hardly slept
. Sometime in the night, he'd carried her upstairs and made love to her again. She arched her back and stretched.

  “Come on, baby. It's dawn. Nan's coming.”

  James had already pulled on his pants and handed Lilith's robe to her. With a grumble, she got out of bed and put it on, wrapping the garment closed and tying the belt.

  “Not a morning person, eh?” He gave her a quick kiss. “Me, neither.”

  She pressed her weight toward him, wanting to linger.

  “Twenty minutes. Then we can sleep.”

  She nodded, rubbing at her eyes.

  “Here we go.” He opened the bedroom door and stood back.

  Lilith fixed her gaze on the darkened hallway.

  Now that the moment had arrived, she didn't know what to ask. Not really. Should she tell Nan about the notes? Ask her what truths she knew about the past? Ask her why she felt she needed to beat children? She fisted her hands at her side, staring into the darkness.

  James came and stood with her. He brushed his hand over her cheek. “She may not have any answers, Lil.”

  “I know.”

  “And you can't believe everything she says.”

  Her gaze shifted to his. He was worried.

  Footsteps skittered up the hall.

  One long, thin arm reached across the opening and braced on the door frame. Nan may have become solid, but her flesh was a sickly gray, too thin, too tight over her bones and tendons.

  James arm came around her. “I've got you. We're safe.”

  She nodded, but still gripped his hand for support.

  Nan came into view. She had no hair, her features so sunken as to be almost indistinguishable. And her mouth didn't look like a human mouth at all, the thin lines of her lips vertical instead of horizontal. She wore no clothes, but any features that might distinguish her as male or female were gone. He ribcage seemed to be split into two to support the second set of arms—the ones ending in feeding hooks. She appeared far more alien that paranormal, but then Lilith had often wondered if they were one in the same.

  “Nan?”

  “You.” The one word came out as a long accusatory hiss. “I should have killed you when I had the chance.” Her beady black eyes darted between Lilith and James.

  Lilith swallowed past the lump in her throat. This was the only blood relation she had. This thing. This creature who even in life had hated her. “Why? Why have you always hated me?”

  “You aren't like us.”

  “I am. I'm a witch. I follow the laws.”

  “No.” Her denial echoed in the room, making Lilith jump. “You are not. You are different. An abomination.”

  James snorted. “And here all this time, I thought I was the abomination.”

  Nan’s eyes narrowed. “You, too, must die.”

  Lilith squeezed his hand. “I don't understand why. Or how I'm different.”

  Nan used her hooks to motion her closer. “Come here, Granddaughter.”

  James' arms tightened around her.

  “Answer my question, Nana.”

  “You think I'll help you?” Her raspy voice edged up. “You think I'll tell you how to complete the abomination?” Her gaze searched the room. “Where is the dybbuk?”

  “The—?” The hair on Lilith's nape stood on end. Both she and James looked around the room. Had she put something in here? Had she summoned some—? “Aimee.” Lilith swung around and took a step toward the door. “You're talking about Aimee.”

  “You named it?” She laughed, a dry rasp that brought to mind wind-swept leaves.

  Lilith's lips parted. “Why?” Why had her own grandmother cursed her with that creature?

  “To hide your bastardized Magic from the likes of him. From daemon-kind. They'll use you. They will turn you against your own kind, use you until nothing is left before they toss away your carcass.”

  “You lie.” James took a step closer and Lilith stalled him by squeezing his hand.

  “Do I? I told you before, and I'll tell you again, Daemon. You will never get what you truly want. I've seen what will come. I've seen you destroyed.”

  James kept his expression void of any reaction. He must have heard all this before. “What about her birthmark? What does it signify?”

  Again with the birthmark. Why wouldn't he believe her that it meant nothing?

  For several moments, Nan stared at him. Then she left, slinking into the shadows of the hallway.

  Lilith turned to James. “Do you think—?”

  He held his finger to her lips. “Not until she's gone. I don't want her to overhear.” James coaxed her back to bed, curling his large frame around hers and held her tight. For the next quarter hour they listened to Nan tear the house apart, banging doors, and throwing objects. The house didn't grow silent until dawn arrived.

  Lilith sighed. “I wonder how much of a mess she left.”

  “Sounded like she wrecked half the house.” He used his fingers to pull her hair back from her face. “You okay?”

  “She's my only family. I don't understand why she hates me so much.”

  “Why does she think you're different? You said your mom had a Grimoire, so I'm assuming she was a witch. Was Nan?”

  Gods, this was getting too close to places she didn't want to go with him. “Nan lost whatever Magic she had after her first heart attack; it happened before my mom died.”

  “But she said she had visions and saw our fates.”

  “Maybe when she had Magic. But things change, James. You and I have both changed, even since our first meeting. Whatever she saw . . . it doesn't mean anything unless you allow it to.” She lifted onto her elbow to look at him. “She’s hoping you’ll believe her. She’s hoping that because you believe her, you’ll create that reality. You can’t believe her.”

  He nodded. “I understand.”

  “You can’t give her any power. Don’t even let yourself think about what she said.”

  He pulled her down and hugged her. “I won’t think about it. Now, how do you think you're different from them?”

  Lilith's lips parted, she had no idea what to say and was saved from having to answer when James' phone rang.

  He answered. He got out of bed and stepped away from her. “Hey, Lou.”

  The volume was high enough that she couldn't help but hear the woman on the other end. “I've got a lycan in my trailer. He'd wants to set up a meeting with you.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “He says he wants to speak to whoever has highest rank.”

  James cursed. “Then send him to Crowley.”

  “He doesn't want to speak to Crowley.”

  “All right.” James dragged his hand over his head. “I don't know what I can do for him, but I'll meet with him.”

  They set the time for that night and James hung up.

  He'd grown tense during the short conversation. Would meeting with the lycan male be dangerous? “Are you friendly with the lycan?”

  He shrugged. “We ignore each other for the most part. Occasionally, our paths cross if one of theirs goes moon crazy or one of ours goes rogue. Then we work together to sort out the problem.”

  Rogue. She'd heard the term before, but had no idea what it meant. “What's it mean to go rogue?”

  He climbed back into bed with her. “It's a flexible term. For most vampires, it would mean they're overcome with blood lust.”

  She grinned. “I thought all vampires had that.”

  “It's common with neophytes—newly transformed vampires—but after a while, we can control our base urges.” He grinned. “Unless of course we find a particularly tasty bit.” He made like he would bite her, scrapping his whiskers on her throat and making her laugh.

  She swatted him away. “You're trying to change the subject. What are other reasons a vampire could be termed rogue?”

  He flopped onto his back and pulled her close. “Guardians have stricter rules. We're not allowed to transform anyone.”

  Her brows furrowed. “Even your s
oul mate?”

  His teasing grin faded. “Lilith, we're vampires. We have no soul, no mate. And the Council doesn't want us too attached to anyone.”

  “Oh.” Her chest tightened. She didn't like hearing him say those things. Vampires did have mates. She was his mate, damn it. She'd known she risked trouble with the coven by being with him, but never considered the possibility the Council had any influence on mating. “What's the punishment? Do they put you in jail or something?”

  “Jail?” He laughed. “We have no jails.” He pulled Lilith down, tucking her head beneath his chin.

  Lilith stilled in his arms. What had she done? If anyone found out about them, the coven and the Council would both be out to ash James. And once the Council found out about her, they'd discover the coven. “I'll never tell anyone.” She leaned up on her arm to look down at him.

  His lips curved, and he stroked her face. “I'm content. Whatever comes, I'll keep you safe.”

  She sat up and frowned. “If neither of us says anything . . . .”

  He shook his head. “We're never alone, Lil. There are no secrets, aside from those never spoken and never acted on.”

  She closed her eyes. The Watchers. “I didn't think—”

  “I did.” He pulled her back down, wrapping her tight in his embrace. “I knew and I'd do it all again if had the chance.”

  Chapter 24

  James eased his bike down Haven House’s drive and onto the main road. Just as he was about to gun it, he caught sight of someone familiar.

  And unwelcome.

  Damn, he didn’t like Julius Crowley this close to Lilith. He gave the bike enough gas to bring him to Crowley’s side and flipped up the visor on his helmet.

  “James.”

  “Jules.” He made sure to keep his gaze well away from Crowley’s. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  He rocked back on his heels, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “You spend a lot of time in that old run-down house.”

  James shrugged.

  “I haven’t seen you out and about much.”

  “They’ve only been sending me one or two jobs a night.”

  “Oh?” One blond brow arched. “Isn’t that interesting.”

  James clenched his jaw. “You got something to say, Crowley?”