Chapter One
Ren
It's the third time the wind has brought her scent to me, but the first she's been outdoors when it's happened. This morning I managed to sneak through the creek and wait near her home. I've stalked this house for the past three weeks trying to understand if this girl is fool enough to live so far away from her own kind. She should know better, but it appears she doesn't.
As I wait in the blue light a young woman steps out, carrying a woven basket of floral scented clothes. She takes her time hanging each item, long supple limbs doing fine work but hardly visible under her cloak. Maybe it's the chill that makes her brave. Perhaps she thinks she's hidden in her layers of wool, or that the light is strong enough to drive Sverils away. My kind may prefer the night but not all of us are uncomfortable in light. I've enough human blood in me to make the midday sun tolerable.
Finally, I see her face and my heart fists in my chest. She's lovely. Rose petal lips and nut-brown eyes which shine beautifully over her cold-stung cheeks. She cannot be much younger than me, and when she catches a thought that makes her smile, I go lightheaded. When I inhale, her scent makes me dizzy with lust. She's nearly in heat.
Humans don't seem to smell the same things as us. Which is good, because if she knew the scent she was putting off she'd never leave her house. If another Sveril comes along, he'll be after her too. I need to take her, now, before another can claim her.
Netta
I wet my lips and immediately regret it. It's too cold and far too early to take the wash out, but since our father died last month it's like the hours have been sucked out of the day. I've no idea how I'll get us through the winter let alone keep this house and Merci in shape. She's old enough to take care of herself but a fool. I'm a fool too for that matter, coming out so close to dawn, but I need to have the wash dry before the short winter day is done.
Moving my basket to the porch, I pause. Something feels odd, though the birds still call and the house is quiet. Then all at one cool hand cover my lips and a hard arm wraps over my chest. I should fight, I should kick out and scream, but there's no one to help me for miles. No one I want discovered helping me, that is. Fear freezes me.
"You're so lovely, don't be afraid. I know it's just you here." His words are hot against my cheek. It's a young voiceβdeep. He thinks I'm alone. Thank the gods. "Let's go inside."
When I do not move, he adds, "I could always come back with my brothers."
From the time we're girls they warn us about Sverils. They have so few females of their own, most were wiped out in a sickness over a decade ago. We didn't suffer nearly as much as they. There's still enough choice for no sane man to want me after my idiot fiancΓ© bragged about bedding me, then got himself killed a week later over a gambling debt.
The creature holding me is why I shouldn't have gone out so close to dark. Why we should have moved to the village the day father died. I know what he wants of me.
Already ruined, what he does to me won't make much difference. I draw a steadying breath and fumble with the door. He can take what he wants and maybe he'll leave quickly. Then I can pack our things and make for the town before he can return.
One thing makes me pause; Merci's inside. But she's a habitually late riser and heavy sleeper. If I can keep him from the bedroom, she'll be safe. Hopefully, he'll be quiet, and she won't come charging out. Gods willing, if she notices him, she'll hide.
When we step inside the cabin I head for the kitchen, away from the hall with our bedroom and wash closet. He follows, never releasing his hold on me until I stop between the warm stove and the table. Pushing my hood down, he brushes the hair from my neck, then presses his cold nose to my warm skin. "You're driving me crazy. You smell so good."
"Please-" I'm not sure what I should beg for.
His arms come around and unclasp my cloak, so it falls to the floor. Then he releases me completely and I hear his palms brushing together. He huffs into his hands and then brings them to my bare arms. "That's better, isn't it?"
I blink back tears. "Just take what you want and be done."
He stills. "You really wish that?"
"Does it matter?"
He presses a kiss to my neck and his scent envelopes my senses. Dark and woody. Masculine. It would be so welcomed if he was another creature.
"No," he murmurs, "I've got a blade, but I don't wish to mar you. I prefer not to bind you, but I will if I must."
My reply comes out as a hiccup, "Okay."
"Do you know what I'm going to do to you?" My dress is insubstantial when he spreads his hands over my hips and pulls me flush with his body. His heat brands my ass through layers of cloth. I know what he intends to do. It's not like I haven't lain with a man.
I nod.
"Are you a maiden?"
My answer doesn't matter, he'll take me anyway. "No."
At this, he turns my head and kisses me. Eyes squinted shut, my body locks up. He doesn't seem to mind. He plies my mouth until my jaw relaxes and I part for him. Warm hand cupping my neck, the chill rushes from my skin. The press of his body surrounds me and without meaning to, I moan. Sweet exploring strokes of his tongue earn a few in return but my heart is rabbiting in my chest so hard I think I might faint.
He pulls away and when I do not open my eyes he begins work on my dress, loosening the laces so my breasts are free their cage, then his mouth is on me. My cheeks burn. Hot tears escape my eyes.
"Your nipples are so pretty, so pink." He rolls one between his fingers and feasts on the other.
I've wondered what this would be like. A girl cannot be warned enough about it to not let her mind roll over the events, but I never thought I'd feel this heat between my legs. My skin sparks under his attention though my hands form fists. He trades peaks, lapping eagerly. My head's so fuzzy with staccato breaths I cannot think straight.
"I do not know why you're without a male, but everyone one of them that passed you by is a fool." Then he twists my left nipple so flashes of pleasure and pain zing to my core. "So sexy, so responsive. I want to see the rest of you."
Shaking my head, I say, "Please..."
"Please what, dove?" He cups my breasts with his rough palms, massaging them fully.
"Just get it over with."
His voice hardens. "Will you not look at me?"