Bittersweet Blood (The Order #1)

He undressed her slowly, kissing her skin as it was bared to him. He made love to her. Slow, intense, erotic love, as though he wanted to imprint himself on her body for always. As she drew close to her orgasm, he burrowed his face in her throat, sinking his fangs deep into her. He drank as his hips thrust leisurely into her, grinding relentlessly against her, until she came in a flood of pleasure so powerful that for a moment she blacked out.

As she came to, Christian’s arms were wrapped around her, and he was kissing her neck, licking the wound, healing her. When he realized her eyes were open, he gathered her tighter and kissed her lips. “That was sublime,” he said.

She snuggled closer, but after a few minutes, he sat up and pulled her with him.

He removed her arms from around him and stood. She watched as he pulled on his clothes. A part of her wanted to call him back, but another part needed him to go, to get her situation settled so they could be together without the constant worry that someone or something was coming after her.

He dressed in silence, then crossed the room, pausing for a moment in the doorway. As he looked back at her, foreboding swept through her once more, settling low in her belly. She swung her legs onto the floor to go after him.

“I love you,” he said, and she went still at his words. “I might not have mentioned it yesterday, but I wanted you to know. I’ve never loved before. I’m new to this. I just hope I get it right.”

Then he was gone.

…

Christian kept his mind blank as he rode the elevator up to reception.

Piers leaned against the wall, looking pissed. Graham was behind the desk studiously ignoring him.

“Are we ready to go?” Christian asked.

Piers raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been ready for the last half hour. Just hanging round here, while you shag your girlfriend.”

“Leave it, Piers.”

“I’ll get the car.” He pulled out his cell phone.

As they left the building, a black SUV pulled up beside them. They got in the back and the car merged into the traffic. It stopped ten minutes later outside The Pointed Hat. Christian climbed out, followed by Piers. All around, the street was quiet, nothing moved.

The bar was empty of customers. The barman glanced up as they entered, a scowl forming on his face. Christian ignored him and took a seat at one of the tables.

“I could do with that drink now—Scotch.”

Piers brought back a bottle and two glasses. He sat and poured them both a drink. “So, what now?”

The door to the back room opened and Jonas Callaghan entered. He crossed to them and sat in the chair opposite. “Did the fae agree?” he asked Christian.

“He did.”

“I’m impressed.”

Christian smiled. “Piers appealed to his better nature.”

“He has one?” Jonas sounded impressed.

“Perhaps,” Christian said. “So are you ready?”

“I’m ready. All I need is for your friend here to agree my terms.”

“I haven’t mentioned them yet.”

Jonas raised an eyebrow. “Well, perhaps now would be a good time.”

Christian turned to Piers. “Jonas has agreed to do the spell on Tara, but he requires something in return.”

“I’m guessing that something affects me. As long as he’s not after my blood, I’ll consider it.”

“No, your friend here has agreed to contribute that part of the bargain. What I require from you is a job with the Order. I believe you have a vacancy.”

“A job doing what?”

Jonas shrugged. “Whatever the Order requires.”

“I don’t want to appear suspicious here, but why would you want a job with us?”

“You have access to resources I could never get alone. There are certain things I am working on that could benefit us both.”

Piers turned to Christian. “Can you vouch for him?”

“I wouldn’t have considered the deal otherwise. You need a witch or warlock on the staff to replace Ella. It’s unrealistic to think you’d get one without their own agenda, but I don’t believe any agenda of Jonas’ will harm the Order.”

“Unlike Ella,” Piers added caustically. “Okay, I have no objections. How do we do this?”

“You do it tonight,” Christian said.

“Are you going to tell her?”

“I won’t be there, but I have a letter for her. She won’t be a problem. She’ll do what she has to.”

“And where will you be while all this is going on?” Piers asked.

“I’m going to meet with Asmodai.”

“Why?”

“Tara’s friend was killed on his orders because of me. They were trying to get to me like they did with Gabe and Stefan. Tara won’t be safe until whatever is between us is resolved.”

“He won’t meet with you.”

“He’ll have no choice. I’m going after him. I’m going to the Abyss.”

Piers stared at him. “You’re out of your mind.”

“Perhaps.” Christian swallowed the rest of his drink and poured another. “But it finishes tonight. I’m going to offer him combat. I defeat him, or I die. Either way Tara will be safe.”

“You really are in love, aren’t you?” Piers shook his head in disgust. “You’ll die for this. You can’t fight a demon in the Abyss. Certainly not one of the seven.”

“I can try.”