She moaned, her head buried in his shoulder.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She sat back and frowned at him, her eyes bleary and unfocused. “You lied.”
“I didn’t bite you.”
She pushed lightly at his shoulder. “You said it would be a little climax.”
He grinned.
Her eyes softened. “You’re smirking again.”
“You’re ogling again.”
“I am not. I can hardly see straight.” Her gaze lowered and she gasped. “Oh, my God.”
There was no hiding the fact that he was engorged to the max.
“I proved that I can make love without biting you.” He grasped her hips, moving her closer to the tip of his rigid penis.
“But I don’t want to risk getting pregnant.” She splayed her hands on his chest to stop him. “Everyone would want to kill you, and you’d have to leave. I don’t want to lose you.”
Her declaration made his heart rejoice. It also made him more desperate to make love. Maybe it was time to tell her the truth. “Neona, you don’t have to worry about getting pregnant.”
She was still studying his erection. “It looks so uncomfortable. Are you in pain?”
“Yes. If you would let me inside—”
“Maybe my healing powers could help.” She wrapped a hand around his shaft. When he flinched, she loosened her grip. “Did that hurt?”
“I-it’s good.” He moaned when her hand tightened around him. “So good.”
“I’m not sure I’m helping. Look how your blood vessels are sticking out.” She stroked a finger along a vein.
He shuddered. “Let me inside you before I explode.”
“But—”
“You can’t get pregnant! My seed is—” He gasped when she caressed the crown with her thumb. “Is coming!” With a loud groan, he climaxed and ejaculated on her stomach.
“Oh, my!” She released him, watching him with a stunned look as he kept pumping till he was spent.
“Oh, shit.” He grimaced. He’d lost control like a young pup. He ventured a look at her face to see how horrified she was.
She was gazing at her sperm-covered stomach, her eyes wide with wonder.
“I’m so sorry . . .” he mumbled.
She looked up at him and grinned. “You have so much seed! It’s amazing!”
“No, it’s not.”
She dragged her fingers through it, collected a glob, then rubbed her thumb against her gooey fingers. “I’ve never seen a man’s seed before. To think this can cause life to form—it is truly astounding.”
He drew in a shaky breath. It was strange, but the way she was fondling his semen was turning him on. “Neona, I have to tell you—”
“Your seed is wondrous.”
“My seed is dead.”
She blinked.
His heart sank. Would she reject him now, like all the other women he’d ever grown close to? God, no. Not Neona. She had to be the one for him. “I’m a vampire. My sperm is dead. I’m sorry.”
She looked at the glob in her hand. “How can it be dead? You’re alive right now. Your heart is working. Your brain is working. You’re alive.”
“I’m sorry. But the good news is we can make love all we want without worrying about you getting pregnant.” He gave her a hopeful look, but it soon faded at the sight of her tear-filled eyes. “You want children.”
She blinked away the tears. “I know it’s selfish of me, but I wanted a daughter with your hair and eyes.”
But Neona’s eyes would be so much better. He imagined a little boy and girl with Neona’s black hair and bright blue eyes, and for the first time, he understood the pain. Always before, he’d resented the women who had wanted a child more than they had wanted him. He’d wanted to come first in a woman’s heart. “You could mate with a mortal—”
“No!” She looked aghast. “I want you! Only you.”
His heart swelled and he gathered her close in his arms. She wanted him first. “Then what you said to the others about wanting me as a sperm donor—”
“I said that so my mother would accept you. It is the only reason she thinks a man exists.” Neona sat back, frowning. “I guess it is just as well we cannot have children. What if they had fangs and attacked people?”
“They wouldn’t. The half-vampire children I know are all surprisingly normal. They’re awake during the day and eat normal—”
“What? You just said it was impossible.”
“I said my sperm is dead. But it is still possible.”
Her eyes widened. “How?”
He gripped her shoulders. “You would seriously consider having a child with me? A vampire?”
She bit her lip, then nodded.
“We would have to teleport somewhere to have a procedure done.” He could probably talk Roman into taking a vacation at the castle with his family, then Roman could do the work there.
Her shoulders slumped. “I cannot leave Beyul-La.”
“It would be for only a short time. Nobody would even have to know. They don’t know we’re here now.”
With a sigh, she glanced down at his manhood. “Maybe I can heal you.”
“Sweetheart, my sperm has been dead for almost eight hundred—” He sucked in a breath when her hand curled around his shaft and squeezed. “But you could always try.”
“I will try.” She stroked him gently.
Damn, he ought to let her know it wasn’t going to work, but her hand felt so good.
A clap of thunder sounded in the distance, and she stopped. “We should go back. Storms can happen very quickly here in the mountains.”
“We’ll teleport to your house.” And start on climax number two. He still had nine to go, and he never quit till a job was done.
He gathered up their belongings while she washed off his semen in the waterfall. As soon as they returned to her house, she stretched the wet clothes on the backs of the two chairs in front of the fire so they could dry.
“We should—” they both said at the same time, then laughed.
“You first.” Zoltan hoped she wanted to jump in bed like him. She was still nude, and her lovely body was making it hard for him to think of anything else.
“We should join the others at the fire pit,” she said. “So they’ll know you’re cooperating. It is the best way to earn their trust.”
He sighed. She was right. He needed the whole group of women to trust him. “All right.” He shuffled over to the wooden chest to retrieve some clean clothes.
She gave him a sympathetic look. “It won’t be for long. I think it will rain soon.”
After they dressed, she led him outside. The wind had picked up, whistling through the valley. The fire in the central pit provided the only light. Thick clouds were covering the stars and moon.
He spotted the five women seated around the fire. They exchanged looks, then eyed him with disdain. Great. They still wanted to kill him. He bowed. “Good evening.”
The queen scoffed. “Don’t speak unless you have permission.” She motioned for them to sit.
Neona sat, then patted the ground beside her. He sat and crossed his legs, aware that his every move was being frowned upon.
“You were late for dinner,” the queen announced. “We saved you some food.”
“Thank you.” Neona accepted two plates that were passed to her. She handed one to Zoltan with a wary look.
He glanced down at the plate in his lap. Some kind of meat. Rice. Flatbread. Neona tore off a piece of her bread, then used it to scoop up some meat and rice. He followed suit, tearing off a piece of bread. When he looked up, the other women were still scowling at him.
What had he done wrong? How could he ask if he wasn’t allowed to speak? He spotted Neona’s pet leopard lounging nearby on the grass, watching him with narrowed eyes.
The queen grumbled something in Tibetan, and Neona nearly choked on her food. Then the other women joined in, pointing at him and fussing.
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Cat, what the hell is going on? He asked Zhan.
They’re disappointed in you. The cat sneered. They thought you were so manly, but it turns out you’re just a weakling. Couldn’t even get it up—
What? Zoltan mentally shouted.
“What?” Tashi switched to English, staring at Zoltan. “What is he doing?”
Lydia pointed at him. “He was communicating with the cat! I heard him!”
“What?” Neona turned to him, her eyes wide with shock.
Gasps circled around the fire pit.
Lydia rose to her feet. “Explain yourself.”
“Very well.” Zoltan set the plate of food aside. “I’m not a weakling. And Neona can verify that I can indeed get it up—”
“That’s not what I meant!” Lydia yelled. “You were talking to the cat!”
“You can talk to Zhan?” Neona leaned toward him, her eyes intense.
“Sure.” Zoltan shrugged. “I’ve always been able to talk to animals. My mother could communicate with animals and birds, but I guess I only inherited the animal part.”
Neona sat back with a gasp. More gasps echoed around the fire. Even the queen looked shocked.
The leopard gave him a sheepish look. I guess I should have warned you. Tashi and Lydia can hear us.
Zoltan nodded. I understand. Those two women had always been away whenever he’d communicated with Zhan before.
Neona stumbled to her feet, her plate falling over and spilling food on the ground. Her face had paled, and she was breathing shakily as she faced the queen. “You told us male children could never inherit our gifts.”
The queen’s face grew pale, but harsh. “I didn’t believe they could.”
Tears glittered in Neona’s eyes as she pointed at Zoltan. “He inherited a gift from Dohna. What if Minerva’s son is gifted? How would we know when we gave him away?” Her voice rose and cracked on the last word.
“Sit down, Neona,” the queen hissed.
“No!” Tears flowed down her cheeks. “We should have kept him. What if he has Minerva’s gift? What if he can talk to—”
“Enough!” the queen shouted. “What is done is done.”
Neona shook her head. “If we had kept him, Minerva would still be alive!” With a sob, she turned and ran.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Zoltan jumped to his feet to follow her, but the queen held up a hand to stop him.
He gritted his teeth. “She shouldn’t be alone.”
The queen glanced toward the burial mounds, where Neona was headed. “She won’t be. You’re our prisoner. You will remain here.”
He’d had all he could take of this coldhearted queen. “You’ve lost one daughter, and the other is suffering.”
Nima arched a brow at him. “Then do your part and give us another female.”
More thunder rolled, sounding closer, and the wind grew stronger.
“It will rain soon.” The queen stood and motioned toward Neona’s house. “Go there and wait for her.”
“I’ll go wherever I please,” Zoltan said softly. “And you can’t stop me.”
The women stiffened and gave the queen worried looks. Lydia pulled the knife from the sheath strapped to her leg.
The queen approached him. “Are you anxious to die, human? I have spared you so far only because you are the son of Dohna, whom I loved dearly.” She whipped a sharp dagger from a sheath on her belt. “But she wronged us by letting you live so long. I should rectify that tonight.”
“My mother never wronged you,” Zoltan said. “She never spoke of this place, never revealed your damned secrets, and never gave me a drop of your Living Water.”
More gasps echoed around the fire. The flames danced wildly in the strong wind.
Queen Nima studied him, her eyes narrowing. “Then how have you lived so long?”
Lightning cracked close by, illuminating with a flash the women’s pale, shocked faces.
“It’s simple.” Zoltan stepped back so he could keep all the women and their weapons in view. “I’m a vampire.”
Chapter Eighteen
“I knew it!” Queen Nima raised her dagger, ready to strike. “You’re a spy for Lord Liao!”
The other women drew their knives.
He extended his hands to the side so they would see he was unarmed. “I’m not here to harm you. I want to help—”
“You’ve helped yourself to my daughter, you monster!” the queen shouted, her face turning red with rage. “I will not tolerate this insult—”
“Enough!” He took a deep breath to calm his own growing anger. “Do you think so highly of yourself that you’re prepared to take on Master Han and his army? He has nine hundred soldiers!”
Nima glared at him, while the other women exchanged worried looks. “Pay no heed to his lies,” she hissed.
“You want the truth?” Zoltan snorted. “If I was your enemy, you would all be dead by now.” He teleported behind Freya, ripped the knife from her hand and tossed it aside, then zoomed back to where he’d been standing.
“What?” Freya blinked. “How did you—”
“Vampire speed,” Zoltan explained. “I could disarm you all—” He dodged to the side and caught the knife Lydia had just thrown, plucking it out of the air with ease.
Another bolt of lightning flashed and lit up the shocked faces of the women.
“As I was saying—” He tested the tip of the knife with a finger. It was deadly sharp. And damn if it wasn’t one of the hunting knives he’d left in Frederic’s cabin as a gift. “I’m not here to harm you. I belong to a group of good Vamps, and we’d like to help you defeat Lord Liao and Master Han.”
“Ridiculous,” Nima muttered. “No vampires are good.”
“Remember Russell? The guy who saved your life? He’s a friend of mine. He joined in your battle, hoping to kill Lord Liao.”
“He did attack him,” Freddie muttered. “But Liao vanished.”
Zoltan nodded. “Liao and Han have some special powers, so no matter how strong or fast you are, you can’t compete with them. Since my friends and I are Vamps, we possess the same powers. We’re your best bet at defeating them.”
“That makes sense, actually,” Freya murmured.
“Don’t listen to this monster.” Nima motioned to him with her dagger. “He will twist your thoughts, using his evil mind control. You saw what he’s done to Neona. He’s turning her against—”
A clap of thunder burst overhead, so deafeningly loud that everyone flinched. A drop of rain landed on Zoltan’s head.
“Neona’s mind works perfectly well without any help from me,” he told the queen. “If she’s questioning you, it’s because you deserve it.”
“You will destroy our way of life!” Nima shouted. A few more drops of rain plopped down around them, some landing with a hiss in the fire. “We cannot allow you to interfere with our sacred duty!”
“What is your sacred duty?” he asked.
“We will not discuss it with you. Leave!”
“If your sacred duty is that precious to you, you’ll need our help to survive so you can keep doing it. Lord Liao is looking for you. He won’t stop until he finds you.”
“He’ll never find us,” Nima insisted. “We’ve been here for millennia. No one finds us!”
“I did! Liao will, too. You cannot hope to remain hidden. Modern technology will make it impossible. Satellites in outer space can pinpoint your location here. Times are changing, and you will have to change with it.”
Freddie exchanged a look with her sister. “Our father warned us that the outside world was changing fast.”
“Frederic was right,” Zoltan said. “Master Han and his army will find you. Not only will they outnumber you but his soldiers have also been altered genetically, so they’re super fast and strong. If you don’t accept our help, they will annihilate you.”
A crack of lightning lit the sky and the women’s worried faces.
“The soldier
s were extra strong and fast,” Tashi shouted over the wind. “That was how they managed to kill five of us.”
“But why would these vampires want to help us?” Nima glared at Zoltan. “They want something from us.”
“We want what we have always wanted,” Zoltan replied. “To protect mortals from the bad vampires.”
The queen snorted. “You expect us to believe that?”
The wind whirled around them, blowing Zoltan’s wet hair in his face. He shoved it back. “We have no interest in your Living Water. We’re already immortal.”
The queen’s eyes narrowed. “Unless we kill you.”
“Try it! See what happens.” He was damned tired of arguing with this woman. The wind was causing the rain to pelt them hard now. “But you would be foolish to face Lord Liao or Master Han without our help.”
The fire dwindled down to a few tiny flames, then hissed a final death, leaving them in darkness.
“I think we should consider—” Freddie started.
“Hush!” Nima interrupted. “We will wait out the rest of this storm in the cave. Go!” As the other women ran upstream, she held up a hand to stop Zoltan. “You are not allowed in the sacred cave. Wait for Neona in her house.”
Zoltan watched the women scurry off so he could see the location of their precious cave. The entrance was at the base of the highest mountain, partially hidden behind some huge boulders. He would have to investigate it later.
He teleported to the burial mounds and found Neona beside her sister’s grave, her clothes soaked through.
“Come.” He extended a hand to her. “Let’s get out of the rain.”
She glanced up at him, her cheeks wet with tears. “A little water is the least of my problems right now.”
He hunched down beside her. “I know it’s difficult. You’re questioning a life you’ve lived for over two thousand years.”
She wiped her face. “I feel like I’m becoming a traitor. That should be wrong, but somehow it feels right.”
“Let’s talk about it in your house.” He extended a hand again. “We can’t have a healer who’s sick with a cold, right?”