Unedited. I will post a better version as soon as I receive from editor. Thanks to those who have helped!
Gabriel stood waiting for the attack. Listening to the approaching sounds, he ascertained the locations of the enemy and waited. He evaluated the threat as a notable enemy but had no concern for the night's outcome. Five brothers of the Third Creation would have no difficulty overcoming this attack. With the additional troops, he knew their victory would once again be swift.
Each brother led a small group to intercept the enemy vampires. With the exception of Heron, each also had a mate who remained close to his side. Gabriel knew exactly where Alena stood but reached back to feel the soft skin of her hand. He was once again amazed at the strength he derived from her.
He looked up at the noise and cringed when he saw the attackers. The pitiful creatures were hideous in appearance but had even more disturbing spirits. As slaves to a higher power, they were merciless hunters that existed for blood. Gabriel could see evidence of their abuse from the various scars and amputations.
Assessing them once more, he informed his brothers that these men and women were truly living corpses who needed to be permanently laid to rest. He received four votes of agreement when the first struck.
****
Joshua allowed Nola to pin him to the bed as she made her playful demands on their future. He had notified the guards that she would be staying with him and were not to be disturbed. For the last several hours, they had taken advantage of being alone, not knowing when this would happen again.
"No," he repeated with a laugh.
"Tell me," she demanded as she clasped his hands above his head. "I'm not some cave woman who will be knocked over the head, dragged around the world blindly following you to the ends of the earth."
"A cave? No. But blindly follow me? Yes."
"You're just a little arrogant," she complained sitting back on her heels.
"I prefer to think that I'm confident," he answered flipping her swiftly beneath him. "But the truth is that I don't know when I will change you. I know Antony must be with Emma now and I can't swear that I will have that I will have that freedom."
"So," she said wiggling beneath him, "you promise that it will be soon. Promise that you won't forget or find another girl or move on with your family or..."
"Nola that could never happen. It's not the way of my people. If there's something I could give you to prove..."
"Just your promise. I trust you," she added stroking her fingertips down his chest." I just don't want to lose you."
"Can't happen. Losing you would kill me," he explained in a serious tone. He captured her hand and kissed each fingertip and added, "When the others return, they will know that you are mine. Our ways are permanent."
"How will they know?"
"I wonder if any human has ever asked," he responded with a laugh. "You know that my people have intense, uh, senses."
"What will they sense?"
His smile faltered as he stared into her eyes. With a gentle touch, he traced the curve of her jaw and savored the texture of her porcelain skin. He watched her frown in frustration waiting for his explanation.
"It shouldn't be like this?" he whispered.
"Like what? With a human? I told you that I want to change, Josh, I want to be with you forever."
"I know. And you will. I meant that I wish we could have more time and not rushed in one night."
"I have a feeling," she replied snuggling closer to his big frame, "that we will need to appreciate every minute we can have alone. We may have forever but I'll be sharing you most of the time. So let's start making the best of it."
Joshua moved over Nola quickly and removed their remaining clothes. He may have recently been considered a boy but no one could deny that he was now a man. As nature ruled his actions, he started to claim the only woman who had ever caught his attention.
Inexperience was overridden by love as the two eagerly sought their relief. While tempted to release his control, Joshua remained consciously aware of his superior strength and held himself in check as he explored her body. Tenderly he kissed and nipped at her fleshed savoring the shudders and sighs he earned for his effort.
Nola moved her hands over his shoulders, arms and back admiring this man who now belong to her. A small voice asked her why she was not afraid of this person that had so quickly developed from a young person into the grown man he was now. She quickly answered that only his physical body had changed. His soul was still the person whom she would have forever.
Their joining was slow and mutually decided. He would touch and she would respond. She reciprocated the pleasure when she touched him. When he finally broke through the last flimsy barrier of her flesh, Joshua waited letting her set the pace that would continue their mating.
Nola hesitated for only a moment shutting her eyes and taking a deep breath. Her body quickly adjusted to his invasion and begged for more. In a timeless gesture, she rolled her hips forward inviting him to continue. She was quickly granted her silent request.
She moaned as he moved in a steady rhythm against her body. Sneaking a glance at his face, she watched him strain against the temptation to release his control. She watched him as his breaths became more labored. Suddenly she realized what he needed.
"Joshua. Drink. Please."
Suddenly, his dark eyes were staring into hers. In a flash, she saw him open his mouth full with elongated fangs. Sharp pain was quickly replaced by unsurpassed euphoria as he fed from her neck.
****
Abigail gradually woke from her comfortable slumber. The inviting warmth of her surroundings beckoned her to snuggle in for more sleep but her bladder demanded immediate relief. Slowly she moved away from the heat source and cringed when her sore muscles rebelled. Instantly her eyes flashed opened finding the source for her comfort and pain.
Alex had formed a cocoon around her smaller frame with his arms and legs. In the dark, Abigail could see the smug grin on his sleeping face. A wave of emotions flashed through her mind as she tried to determine the reason for his pride.
Carefully she untangled his limbs from her body and rose from the bed. Her body ached like nothing she had ever felt before but yet she knew that she was not injured. She tenderly probed the flesh inside her thighs and realized that her muscles were tight and sore. She refused to investigate further.
Taking a deep breath, she paused as various aromas filled her nostrils. There was definitely blood in the mix. Her rising panic only falter a little when she realized that it was her own blood and not Alex's that she smelled. Her injuries could be hidden and would heal quickly. She would never forgive herself if she had hurt him.
The other scent confused her. It was a musk similar to one she had often noticed in her mother's room. Yet, it was different. It was a unique bouquet consisting of interesting ingredients. She inhaled deeply trying to identify the sources and paused when reality answered her questions.
The simple recipe consisted of two ingredients: Alex and Abigail. She closed her eyes as images of their union flashed through her mind. Her heart raced as every touch and taste was quickly remembered. Opening her eyes, she realized that her aches had quickly changed from the result of sore muscles to that of a physical need only this man could satisfy.
Resisting the urge to wake Alex, she leaned over the bed to place a kiss to his lips but paused. She realized that his smug grin was a reflection of own expression. With a feather light touch, she pressed her lips to his and then quickly raced to the bathroom.
***