This Curse

TWENTY FIVE



I was burning. I hated waking up to this much sunlight. I opened one eye, testing the glare and cursing as the sun shriveled my retina.

“Ugh!” I groaned sitting up. I looked at the gaping hole in my living room wall and stood. The air blowing in was brisk and felt wonderful as it sent chills all over my skin. I moved to look outside. The neighbors were no where to be seen so I turned and with a wave of my hand, the wall and door were repaired in an instant. I had no qualms with using small amounts of magic now. It was who I was. Too many people seemed to suffer while I sat on a throne of my self-righteous morals. No more, I was done.

I got ready for the day with a thought as I approached my bedroom door. I knocked gently.

“Come in.” Lucian’s voice was much deeper. I stifled the chill that raced down my spine and opened the door.

He was lying on the bed looking fit and healthy. His golden chest was still bare; his hands were folded, resting behind his head as he gazed out the window.

I stepped inside the room and shut the door softly behind me. I felt my stomach flutter as I slowly approached the bed. I held my breath. Fear gripped me as I worried over the possible changes my blood might have made. If his eyes had changed, I would hate myself. I stopped, overwhelmed with anxiety. This was my Lucian, and I would die before I would let him get hurt again.

“Lucian?” I squeaked. “How are you?”

He turned his face to mine. His teeth were perfectly white and shining in a smile that always turned my knees to butter. His brown eyes were bright and filled with joy as he looked at me.

I let out the breath I’d been holding in a rush and beamed at him.

“Gracie.” he rolled onto his side, bracing his head on his hand. “Come say hi to me. I’ve missed you.”

I laughed and scrambled onto the bed. He scooped me into his strong arms and I squealed. The large man squeezed me as tightly he could and rubbed his cheek against my hair. His firm chest was warm and as soft as velvet. I gloried in the feeling of his hot breath in my hair.

He pulled away first and held me at arms length, his hands on my shoulders. “Thank you, Grace.” He met my eyes. “You saved me, babe.”

I took his hands in mine and scooted closer. “I just wish I could have returned sooner.” I smiled sadly, regretting every moment away from him. “I have no idea how long you were ill. I’m so sorry.”

“You have no idea how long you were in Hell? Well, all I can say is that I’ve been in this bed for more days than I want to remember. I can’t give you a number as far as days though; I was pretty out of it most of the time.”

I frowned. “As long as you know I would do anything for you, Lucian, I would never want you to suffer.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “Well, I don’t know what the heck is in your blood, but babe if you don’t get outta’ here soon I’ll be taking you up on that.” He looked down and I goggled. Lucian had the biggest erection I had ever seen. It was pitching a tent under the cotton sheets and I blushed.

“It’s been like a rock for hours,” he laughed, turning a pretty shade of pink. He sat up straighter, adjusting the sheets to no avail. His manhood would not be ignored.

I looked at him and suddenly felt heavy all over. My limbs went limp and I let out my breath slowly. He met my eyes and I felt raw. Then as if on autopilot, I got off the bed and began moving towards the door. I reached for the handle and stopped. I took a small step back and turned. “What if I don’t want to get out of here?” I folded my hands behind me and looked at my feet. Then, drawn by his silence, I looked up at him.

His chest moved rapidly with his quick breaths. His teeth clenched, working his jaw. His nostrils flared with each ragged intake of breath.

I met his eyes.

“Grace?” He shifted on the bed.

“I…” I looked at him and my heart filled with emotion. “I…” I had no words. All I knew was that Lucian was in my bed and I would die rather than walk out that door.

I went to him. My hands were shaking as he rose onto his knees. The sheet spilled from his body and I froze. I’d seen Lucian naked before but nothing like this. His eyes were all for me. His erection was thick and tall, begging for my touch. I felt my knees tremble as he reached across the bed. The air left my lungs as his warm hand closed firmly around my wrist. He pulled, drawing me onto the bed. His eyes still searched mine as he lifted the hem of my shirt.

My breath hitched and I held up my arms. The soft fabric slipped over my head and he tossed it to the floor. My breath quickened. I could feel his eyes travel over my lace covered breasts. His beautiful eyes took in every curve. I felt my body shudder, my God, this was Lucian.

His blunt nails slid down my shoulders along with the straps of my bra. My breasts sprang free and I felt incredibly exposed. I held my breath as his warm lips wrapped around a sensitive nipple. I grabbed his hair in my fists and held him to me, filled with too much sensation; I bit my lip and let a small cry escape.

He kissed along my skin, removing my clothing as he worked his way down my body. I was a coil wound too tightly as I held him. His skin was so hot.

He slid his body along my flushed skin and then pressed his lips to mine. I sucked his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss. He rolled me onto my back and gently ran his hand down to cup my moist center. My heart beat frantically against my chest and I felt ready to crawl out of my skin as he slid his fingers inside me. I watched his face, soaking up every heated look like a starving person. He was suddenly there. The soft thickness of his male flesh pressing at my opening made me want to die.

He pushed inside slowly, watching my face. I moaned and he closed his eyes and surged forward. I cried out and arched against him, wrapping my legs around his waist as he pumped his length inside me. He opened his eyes, watching me. The hunger I saw there pushed me over the edge and I gripped his shoulders as I shuddered my release.

I was never so loved, never so cherished as I was with this man. Hours passed like minutes until finally, we both submitted to delicious exhaustion.

I couldn’t believe what had happened. Lucian was finally mine. I smiled, while somewhere in the back of my mind I remembered that at one point I had told him that I loved him.

I woke. Warm sunlight streamed into the room, reminding me of the joy I felt. I snuggled closer to Lucian, pressing my rear into his erection.

It felt amazing for all of about ten seconds.

“By all means, f*ck her while we watch. Betrayal is always better when the evidence is thrown into your face. I am quite sure that Jamie would love to see her snake of a brother pounding his cock into her best friend.” Seth was sitting close to the bed. He had completely vamped out and looked furious.

Lucian sat up abruptly and I sighed. With a thought, I had us both dressed.

Lucian was sitting at the foot of the bed rubbing his hands over his face. “This is so wrong! You people ever heard of privacy?” He looked at his sister and frowned. She was weeping silently; clearly, this was not her idea.

“Seth…” She looked away, turning beat red. “Well,” she looked at her shoes, filled with embarrassment. “He said he smelled sex and knew you were screwing my brother.” Her red color deepened to a full out scarlet. “It woke him and he was so pissed off that he walked into the sun.”

My jaw dropped and I spun. I reached out and he flinched away, as if my touch was dirty. “Oh, grow up you ass-hat. Are you burned or what? I grabbed his hands and he sighed, allowing me to examine his skin. I looked at him and smiled. "You’re up?" I looked around the room was bright. “You’re up in the daylight and all you care about is that Lucian and I are together?”

Lucian stood and smiled. “Really, Gracie?”

I turned to him, completely confused. “Yeah? What did you think this was? I told you I loved you!” I put my hands on my hips and glared. “Hey! I told you I loved you and you didn’t say it back!” I was suddenly angry.

Lucian swept me up in his arms and spun me in a circle, laughing and kissing my face and hair. “I love you, Gracie!” He shouted and Seth snorted. “I heard you say it, but I didn’t want to hope. All I could think of was staying inside you.” He kissed me hard as Seth made gagging noises beside us and Jamie laughed.

Lucian finally let me stand on the ground and I beamed, my smile was so huge it seemed that was all I could do. Seth was a day walker and Lucian loved me!

“So," I turned to Seth. “Why on God’s green earth would you ignore the opportunity to walk outside on a beautiful morning like this, now that you know you won’t sizzle like a sausage link?”

He looked at me, “I had much on my mind.” He frowned and looked at Lucian. “After all that we have been through, after everything you did to save me. I never thought that you would choose so soon.” He looked at me again. “He will never be good enough for you, you know. He won’t be able to accept the real you, that is unless I’m wrong.” His brows rose in question, “Am I wrong, Sweet? Did Lucian take a full Madea to his bed?”

I felt the blood drain from my face and Seth smiled. “No, I thought not.” He stood, noticeably happier. “Don’t go sending out the invites yet, old boy!” He smacked Lucian on the back as he left the room. I sat down hard on the bed, my heart breaking into a thousand pieces.

F*ck!

“Gracie.” Lucian turned to glare at me, “Do you mind explaining what the hell just happened?” He folded his arms and turned to look at Jamie. She opened her mouth and then at my frown, she rushed from the room.

I sighed into my hands. “You’re a warlock, Lucian, which is just as vulnerable as a mortal human.” I sniffed and cursed under my breath.

“So? I was good enough to f*ck, but because I’m not some super man, I’m not good enough to keep?” He frowned. “You have to do better than that, Grace.”

I watched him as he stomped around the room. “I’m not what you see.” I began. “I’m not the same Gracie, as you already know. Hell, you’ve been comforting me from the beginning.”

He nodded with an odd look in his eyes.

“Well.” I cleared my throat. “The reason you can never see my true form is that my pheromones are too strong for any male that isn’t a Madea.”

He seemed to consider that for a moment, “How do you even know that, Grace?” He shook his head as if I were being foolish. “It’s not like a Madea male exists to test it on.” He sat next to me.

I felt like a slug. He didn’t know. How could he?

“What?” He lowered his brows, his strong jaw worked as he waited for me to continue.

“Well, actually, Seth is almost a full Madea.” I spoke so low that I hoped he didn’t hear me.

“SETH?” He jumped up, his fists balled. “F*cking Seth?” Lucian roared and my shoulders slumped. “How the hell did that happen?”

I swallowed. “He’s been drinking my blood.”

His eyes grew huge. “You’re allowing him to drink from you? Still?” Lucian spun in a circle, his hands flying into the air. “Son of a bitch, Grace!”

I had nothing to say. I had my reasons. They were really stupid reasons, but there you go. I wasn’t about to get into the issues I had with Seth and my blood.

“Has he seen your true form, Grace? Have you let him see the real you?” He looked at me. “Have you?” He tilted his head to the side.

I looked him in the eyes. “Yes, Lucian, he’s seen what I really look like, who I really am. I’m sorry.” I flinched at his wounded look.

He paced back and forth, his anger and frustration was suffocating. “I’m out of here. I need some f*cking air.” He turned and stormed from the room.

I shook my head. This couldn’t have turned out worse. I knew sleeping with him would end up slapping me upside the head.

I straightened my shoulders because at least Lucian was back to his normal self. Too bad, that wasn’t going to be strong enough to withstand a relationship with me.

I looked out the window, utterly miserable. Lucian had my heart but Seth was the only man strong enough to hold it. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, but no way was I even going to consider Lucifer as a potential suitor! I stood, feeling like total shit, I entered the living room.

The front door was wide open but no one was in sight. Great, everyone just abandoned me, fine! Just what I wanted, solitude to dwell on my newest serving of shit. I went to the door and slammed it shut, twisting the lock. I turned ready to zap myself to the roof when a soft knock sounded at the door.

I turned and opened it, expecting to see Seth or Jamie but it was neither of them.

Patrick Camden stood on my stoop buried to the eyeballs behind at least five dozen white roses. They were huge and billowed from his arms. He looked at me and smiled. His face free of burns, his eyes filled with gratitude.

I stepped back, allowing him to enter. I swept the flowers from his arms and buried my face in them. Their fragrant petals were velvety soft against my skin as I inhaled.

“They’re beautiful, Patrick,” I smiled, motioning for him to sit.

He shook his head and laughed, “I can see why.” He looked at me.

“What are you talking about?” I busied myself with arranging the buds and fully bloomed blossoms into a large vase.

“Why Lucifer will never give you up.”

I stopped and looked at him. “If you’re here for him…”

Patrick held up his hands, “No, no.” He shook his head. “God, no! Don’t you see? You gave me a second chance. You surrendered to him for me and yet, instead of lashing out at me in anger and wailing at your sorry lot in life, you invite me in and delight at the smell of flowers.”

I chuckled. “Oh, don’t read too much into it, I’m still pretty miserable and probably a little crazy, too. Besides, I can kick Lucifer’s ass on most occasions, which I think he lets me do, and all of the rest? Well it will just have to work itself out.”

He laughed and then became serious. “Grace, I wanted to say I’m sorry. I was a little crazy myself. I know that Voltaire was pumping me full of lies and the feelings I had when…” He trailed off at my blank expression. “Right, well, anyway, I wanted to tell you that you have the respect of my entire pack, which thanks to you is pretty vast.” He smiled sheepishly at me and then jumped. “Oh!” he held up his finger and jogged outside. I watched him from my porch, shaking my head in wonder at what he had up his sleeve. My jaw dropped, Patrick was bringing back my blood.

He hefted the heavy ice chest off the back of the truck and I watched as he lugged it up my steps. Yeah, I could have helped him, but he did steal it in the first place.

“Well,” he sighed. “Sorry that it’s not all there. We thought we had sixty some odd bags, but there’s only twenty-two.” He looked at his feet and then at me. “Well, Voltaire took a bunch and few went to Lucifer. We used a bag when we gave the wolves a small taste.” At my frown, he shook his head. “Not all of them.” He looked sorry. “What can you do? We’re a*sholes.” He laughed nervously.

I eyed him. “Speaking of a*sholes. I think the practice of hunting down and killing runaways needs to stop. You date women, you don’t eat them.”

Patrick sighed. “Alright, Grace. We’ll figure something else out.” He turned to go and I stopped him. “Hold on, Patrick.” I leveled him a look. “Just remember that Lucifer always finds a loop hole. You pretty much got something for nothing so watch your back.” He paled and stepped backwards off of the porch.

Running to his truck, he peeled out fast and barreled down my drive.

I turned and ran straight into Seth’s chest. The vampire-Madea hybrid stood in the sun and smiled.

“So, we got it back.” He lifted the ice chest onto his shoulder, a smile on his face. He brought it into the house heading straight for his room. I followed him, frowning.

“Um, Seth? Are you ever going back to your home?” I leaned against the door jam as he arranged the bags of silver blood inside a full sized refrigerator that sat inside the closet. When and how that had happened, I had no idea.

He stopped and leaned back on his heels. “I have no home. The coven belongs to Eden now. With Thorak and Ael dead,” he smirked at me and shook his head at the mention of the deceased creatures of his coven. It had been me that caused their deaths and I felt pretty darn good about it. When I showed no remorse, he arched an eyebrow and I studied my nails.

“Well.” He continued, moving to organize the bags of silvery blood into neat rows. “Let’s just say that after I left to seek you out, the Council banished me. I was seen as a heretic, unfit to rule, so they gave my home to Eden.” He began to slam the bags of blood into the fridge and I shook my head.

“They said you were a heretic. Why?”

He slammed the door to the fridge and looked at me. “Because I fell in love, Grace! There, I said it!”

My eyes widened with shock.

“Do you ever wonder what happened the day we fought?” He continued, “I failed the Council because I hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you, Grace. When I saw the blood pouring from your body that was when I finally realized that I love you. The feeling is so strong; I knew I could never turn you over to them. But I could not allow you to wake with me still there and I feared for you, so I sent a distress call out to Lucian. He never knew it was me who sent it.” He shivered and shook his head. “That would have been utterly unacceptable. So, I washed away all evidence of our encounter, and now all Lucian knows is that you were hurt and nothing more.”

I stared at him. Shock was an understatement.

“I was never able to love,” he continued, “then your blood began the change and I felt my soul return.” He looked pained and I reached for him. “Do not push your pity on me.” He shoved my hand away. “F*ck, Grace! I know you do not love me and I understand it.” He picked up the empty ice chest and turned to the door. “One day, not so long from now, you will end up killing your Lucian.” He frowned. “He will never be strong enough to withstand the real you. It will be a mistake, but it will happen. You need a Madea male that can take all you can give, at least give me the chance to win you and I promise to spend the rest of my days proving it to you.”

I opened my mouth to speak but he was gone. I flopped onto the bed, my head in my hands.

“Was he telling the truth?” The bed leaned to the side with Lucian’s weight and I cursed Seth and his big fat mouth. The jerk knew damn well that Lucian had been lurking in the hall.

“Could you really kill me?” He put his hand on my knee.

I sat up and sniffed. “Yeah,” I felt my eyes well with tears. “I think if we aren’t careful, I could.” I stood up. “Nothing is ever easy is it?”

“No, but I see where you are going with this. Shouldn’t you let me decide what I want to do?”

I shook my head and frowned, “I can’t let any more bad happen to you.”

“Grace, wait a minute. Please think before you do anything. You won’t hurt me, I know it.”’

“You’re right, Lucian. I won’t.”

Lucian’s brows drew together and he reached for me.

I moved out of his reach. “I’m sorry, Lucian, I can’t take that chance. I should have never started this.” I bent and kissed him softly on the lips. “Goodbye, Lucian.” I ran from the room, leaving him alone in the darkness.