The Calling

EIGHT

DEXTER



I pulled her up from the floor and began comforting her, petting her hair and holding her soothingly. I told Penny that it was okay that Elara had come, and I hinted to them both that I didn’t want anyone to know about this.

I looked at Elara again, who had come forward. For a moment, I thought I was finally having an effect on her, but then I realized she was moving in case she needed to protect Penny.

“What did you do to her?” growled Elara.

I laughed a little to myself. She was feisty.

“We are in love, Elara. I can provide Penny with things you cannot,” I stated.

Yeah. I am the drug she can’t live without,

I thought sourly as Elara shot back aloud,

“Yeah. I’m fresh out of roofies and Stockholm syndrome.”

I almost laughed again. She was clever and quick-witted. I glared at her instead, hoping to get her out of here before I lost control of my hunger. Penny being this close and totally willing had my hunger ripping through me.

“Elara, it is time for you to go. If I hear that you’ve uttered a word about this, Penny will be punished,” I said cruelly.

I felt Penny whimper and shake with terror. The poor dear thought I was serious. I needed Elara to believe I was so she didn’t make things difficult.

Penny turned to Elara and pleaded with her, assuring her that she was safe. I could see that Elara didn’t believe a word of it. But Penny smiled up at me with those big, blue eyes, and I smiled back at her.

“I promise I will not and have not harmed her,” I said, meeting Elara's eyes. I couldn’t keep up the cruelty. I didn’t want either of these women to fear me. Elara seemed to trust me, just a little. I watched her guard drop, ever so slightly.

Another pang of hunger rippled through me, and I knew I was losing my glamour. I quickly looked down into Penny’s eyes and cupped her cheek, letting my energy consume her. I hated doing this in front of Elara, my potential soul bond. But I had gone too long without feeding.

Penny let out a moan and went limp in my arms, already lost in my power. Her breathing was rapid as I ran a finger over the silk camisole she was wearing. Her body responded to me instantly.

Elara was talking, but I was nearly lost in the need to feed. I could see Penny's pulse thrumming in her throat.

“Tell me I can see Penny, or I’m going to the police,” Elara said defiantly.

I looked at her, barely seeing her through the haze of a feeding frenzy. She needed to leave, now.

“Deal. You can see her, but you keep your mouth quiet. Do not break this deal,” I growled and buried my face in Penny’s neck, kissing it as I lifted her up and carried her to the couch, where I set her on top of me to straddle me. My desire ached to escape my pants and enter her.

Penny was just as eager, unzipping me and moving her silk shorts aside to slide me inside her. I moaned in ecstasy, and she threw her top off, giving me full access to her breasts and neck.

I felt eyes on me and glanced out the window, expecting to see Silus. But instead, there was Elara watching us in disbelief. I knew my glamour had faltered a little, but I almost felt relieved that she was seeing some of my true form.

And there it was—as Penny's head fell back in ecstasy, I felt Elara’s desire touch me, and my hunger erupted. I stared at her, longing for her to come inside and join us, but instead, she flipped me off and was gone.

I bit Penny's shoulder while riding the high Elara’s desire left me with. Her blood rushed into my mouth, and she called out my name. I hadn’t meant to bite her with such ferocity, but I had been so pent up and I felt like an animal. Penny and I finished rather quickly. She was completely spent, and my appetite was calm. It had subsided the moment I tasted Elara’s desire. I carried Penny to her bedroom and tucked her into bed. I looked in the mirror to ensure my human form was fully in place. Hazel eyes gazed back at me from tousled curls. Tan skin glistened with sweat.

I sighed in relief. I felt more peaceful than I had all year. I went back to the living room and pulled on my pants. A knock on the door startled me. I glanced through the window and saw Silus wiggle his fingers at me. I opened the door for him.

He handed me the bottle he was carrying without a word and wandered over to the corner of the living room, where he knelt down and reached out to something I couldn't see. He snickered and sat down cross-legged, whispering things to the shadows.

I shook my head and took the potion into Penny. She was sound asleep, but I woke her just enough to drink the potion down. The white, glowing liquid went down easily, and I laid her back in bed and tucked her in.

I watched her sleep through the night as color returned to her face and she began to look more like the girl I had seduced months ago. I could feel her strength returning and the link between us was stronger. As long as I was careful, she would be able to live without my constant presence. The potion wasn’t enough to completely take away the addiction of me, but it would be enough to allow her some peace and space. I kissed the spot where I'd bitten her which was already healing because of the potion and I whispered,

“I'm sorry, Penelope.”

This was not how I had wanted things to go when I first met her. I had prayed that she was the one for me. I had felt so intensely that she was meant for me. My little lady of the light, a walking angel. I looked at her with fondness and sighed. Sadly, she had succumb to my power and Elara was completely immune. That had to mean something, right? Elara had to be the one I was looking for.

Still, it made my heart ache because as I looked at Penelope. She cuddled against me and whispered my name, and I felt the longing to stay here with her forever. I felt so peaceful now. So in control. I sighed softly and pulled her closer to me. I kissed her forehead and brushed her hair back with my fingers.

Maybe in another life, angel.