Fabian clapped his hands once. "Music! Come, my friends. Enjoy!"
People began to flow into the room from the various doors, most of them naked. Somewhere in the rafters above, a live band tuned up.
And still Quinn caressed Arturo's shoulders, her fingers moving of their own accord, finding their way into his hair. Heat flushed her skin, desire shortened her breath-a desire she always felt when she was near Arturo, heightened by Fabian's elixir.
In so many ways, they needed to get out of here. They had to find Vintry. But Arturo knew that as well as she did, and knew what risks he could and couldn't take with Fabian. Pleasure-feeder or not, their host was quick-tempered and, she suspected, unpredictable. There was no telling what he would do.
Under the thrall of Fabian's elixir, she had no idea what any of them would do.
Quinn was ready to crawl out of her skin.
Her breasts ached, her nipples were hard and sensitive, her blood pounded, her body pulsed with the need to feel Arturo's hands on her in return, on her breasts, her thighs, and stroking between her legs. The only time she'd ever felt anything like this fever of need had been when Arturo had made love to her after he'd saved Zack from the Games.
Her hands trembled as she stroked his bare chest, his shoulders, his neck and back. It took every ounce of control not to climb onto his lap and straddle him to try to find some small measure of release. And he was in no better shape. She could feel the tension in his shoulders and hear the harshness of his breath.
Of course, the entertainment Fabian provided did nothing to ease her growing carnal need. For more than an hour, the music had pounded with a deep, erotic beat, designed to whip the dancers on the mat into a hedonistic frenzy. And it had done just that. While some had danced, most had grabbed and groped the nearest flesh, fondling, caressing.
As Quinn had stared, they'd begun to merge into groups of two and three, cocks sliding into hands, into mouths, into bodies, both male and female. Half a dozen males had formed what looked like a conga line, each grasping the hips of the male in front of him, until Quinn realized the only movement any of them were making was hip thrusting.
As she watched now, a female with white-centered eyes and elongated fangs rode one male while a second took her from behind. A third grabbed her face and shoved his cock down her throat as she grabbed his hips and pulled him closer.
A few weeks ago, such a tableau would have shocked Quinn. Now, she found the sight almost heartwarming. The only cries were of pleasure, even from the Slavas, though she wondered if any were actually here of their own free will. Without a doubt, all were under the thrall of Fabian's elixir.
In her current impassioned state, she found the sight of the foursome incredibly hot. She was so aroused, her own body so desperately in need of attention, that watching the others was almost more than she could bear. Especially with Arturo's flesh beneath her hands, his scent filling her lungs, his taste like the finest wine as she ran her tongue along the curve of his ear.
Her breath was completely ragged, her equilibrium destroyed. And hers wasn't the only one.
Without warning, Arturo pulled her onto his lap and began to kiss her as if he were drowning and she was the only one who could save him. His hands burrowed into her hair, his breath as rough as her own. He'd held on to control as long as he could, despite the smell of sex all around them, the sound of slapping flesh and passion underscored by the pounding, pulsing music. And the elixir flowing hot through their veins.
"Fuck her, Mazza," Fabian called. "Strip her down and fuck her."
Quinn tensed.
"Easy, cara," Arturo whispered against her ear. Then he dipped his head to her neck and bit her.
She screamed with pleasure as the first pull of blood shot her straight to orgasm. Her overheated body shattered, pulsing, the pleasure exquisite as he pulled on her neck again and again.
When he lifted his head, his eyes were white-centered and white-hot, his fangs long and streaked with blood. "Mio dio."
"Mazza," Fabian growled over the swelling music. "You've taken me to the edge and left me there. Fuck her! Now."
Arturo cupped her jaw, the heat in his eyes part real, part the product of the drug. But the concern and tenderness were completely genuine. "Not in front of the others. She'll not be able to tolerate it. Find us a screen for privacy."
We cannot avoid this, cara mia.
"I know." Heaven help her, she didn't care where they did it as long as he filled her and ended this pulsing, aching torture.
Minutes later, slaves erected dressing-room screens all around them, though why they had such a thing in a place like this, she couldn't imagine.
"Fuck her, Mazza," Fabian called. "Or I'll do it myself, vomit and all."
Hidden at last, Arturo turned to her, his hands on her face, meeting her gaze. "I need you."
"Yes." But when she reached for her shirt, he grabbed her wrists, stilling them.
"I would have us not undress any more than we have to," he said against her cheek. "I don't trust him. Unfasten your jeans and get on your hands and knees."
With shaking fingers, she did as he asked, and, a moment later, he was pulling her jeans and panties down to her thighs, exposing her ass to the heated air. At once, she felt his hand on her, between her legs, his finger sliding deep inside of her.
She cried out from the pleasure.
"You are so wet, cara, so ready for this. For me."
She heard the zip of his pants, the quick rustle, then felt his hands grip her hips and his thick erection plunge deep inside of her.
She screamed, arching, pushing back to shove him deeper. "Harder, Vampire. Faster!" she urged, then gasped as his pounding took on a superhuman speed. She came again and again and again. Each time she shattered, she felt him with her in a way that wasn't quite physical, as if he embraced her, holding her as she came apart.
"Cara," he gasped, and she knew he was close. She rose again, and this time he joined her, slowing, jerking her hips tight against his as he roared, as the pleasure exploded. She felt his spirit wrap around hers, felt the sun on them both. In her mind's eye, she watched him tip his face up, smiling. The sun's warmth flowed down inside her, down into the deep, cold crevices of her being, of her heart. Their cries echoed around the room.
It was moments before she came back to herself, collapsing onto the chaise as Arturo pulled out of her and released her hips. She felt him stretch out beside her, and turned her to face him. For long moments they stared at one another, his fingers stroking her cheek.
"What you do to me," he breathed.
"That was . . . unbelievable."
He smiled, stealing what little breath she'd managed to reclaim.
"I saw the sun. I felt it on my face. And it didn't burn."
"I know." Which made absolutely no sense. "Was it real, or just the drug?"
He looked deep into her eyes, stroking her face. "It was you, amore mio. You give me the sun."
For long moments, they stared at one another, then Arturo blinked and began to frown.
"It is too quiet."
In a heartbeat, a human heartbeat, he was up, helping her to her feet and pulling her jeans up, helping her adjust her clothes, then quickly adjusting his own.
Arturo set aside the screen and, just like a bad dream, Quinn saw that all eyes were on them, most mouths hanging open. With a silent groan, she hazarded a glance at Fabian. He was watching them with a look of rapture, his eyelids heavy, his mouth open and panting.
A cunning smile broke slowly over his face. "My friends, that was extraordinary. Never have I felt its like. If such a creature always creates such a response, no wonder she was used to the breaking point." He lifted a weary, sated hand. "She is all yours, Arturo, my friend. But you will stay here. With her. And pleasure us both."
Quinn felt Arturo tense. "Of course, Fabian. I shall be happy to be your guest for a while longer. Just as soon as I have found the sorceress and returned her to Cristoff, so that she might save our world."
Fabian's smile turned calculating. "While you search for the sorceress, Jillian will remain with me. Because then I know you will return, and quickly." His voice rose. "This Slava is not to leave the castle," he commanded. "Not unless she's with me."
Quinn's stomach clenched.
Arturo took her hand. "She will remain at the castle with you, Fabian, as you wish. But while I am here, I would have her remain by my side. It brings me pleasure."
Fabian's eyes narrowed as his gaze moved between them. His mouth tightened. But, finally, he nodded grudgingly. "While you are here, she is yours."
Her hand clung to Arturo's, her heart still pounding though the effects of the elixir appeared to have dissipated with their lovemaking.
"I must take my leave, for now, and search for the sorceress, Fabian," Arturo said calmly, his voice still husky with lingering passion.
"Later," the vampire master snapped. "Sit and fondle her. I am not through with you two."
Arturo's hand tensed around hers, but he did as commanded, pulling her onto his lap as the other inhabitants of the room resumed their inventive rutting. She curled her arm around Arturo's neck and stiffened only a little when his hand went to her breast, fondling her through her clothes. Despite the multiple orgasms, despite the elixir's effects having worn off, her body lit up again with that simple touch. And beneath her hip, she felt his erection once more begin to rise.