He took the steps two at a time until he reached the marble tiled floor. Antique style candelabras lined the pristine ivory walls as well as oil paintings from the old world. He could hear deep male laughs as he pushed open the double doors that led to a large room. Wine racks lined the walls, every bottle ages old. Several tables were sporadically placed, several DarkShine males seated at them and playing poker. Near-empty bottles of vodka and whiskey sat by their sides.
“Ah, Gaijryc, my brother!”
Gaijryc threw his hand up in greeting as he walked over toward Adais. Aires nodded in acknowledgement as he threw his hand of cards down and folded. Ryce, Dridge, and Cooldred sat with Aires, engrossed in the game. They all nodded in welcome. He moved toward the next table as Bischop, Emmoch, and Gideionn sat, playing Russian roulette. Several other tables had DarkShine males playing other various card games, laughter and swearing ringing throughout the room. Gaijryc walked over to the wall and leaned against it, watching the games being played around him, staying quiet as anger and irritation still pulsed through him.
“You know I can smell her on you.”
Gaijryc’s head wiped to the side as Gradeall stepped out from the shadows. “What did you just say?” His voice was no more than a low, deep whisper. Gradeall leaned against the wall, so close his arm brushed against Gaijryc’s.
“I said, I can smell her on you, the human female.”
Gaijryc growled. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say anything.” He turned back and watched the games being played, trying to ignore what Gradeall had just revealed.
“I meant no disrespect.” Gradeall had grown up with Gaijryc, both of them being young boys and practicing their swords together. Gradeall was a typical DarkShine male, very unemotional, detached, and ruthless. He was a force to be reckoned with, and when he wanted something, he got it.
“You have known me for thousands of years, my lord. You know how acute my senses are. You might have fooled the males around you, but I can pick up on the most subtle of scents. I would never do anything to break the trust we have, you must know that. You like what you like, even if it is a human female.”
He looked toward Gradeall and lifted the corner of his lip at him. “You do not speak about this to anyone, not even me. Is that understood?” He watched Gradeall’s profile, his black hair hanging loosely around his features, the color shining almost blue under the lighting. Gradeall turned at looked at him, his pale gray eyes seeming void and distant.
“You should know better than to request that of me. How long have you known me? You should already know I don’t speak things to others.”
He pushed off the wall and walked past the tables and out the double doors. Gaijryc watched him the whole way, knowing that he wouldn’t speak about what he revealed to anyone. He looked at the antique clock sitting off to the side and casually walked away from the wall. He wanted to go back to Helina, wanted to see her beautiful face, wanted to smell her innocent aroma, but what he craved to do most of all was to bury himself deep inside of her until he’d fully claimed her.
He bid farewell to the males and headed out of the mansion and into the night. He didn’t like the fact that Gradeall had found out about Helina, didn’t like that another DarkShine male had picked up on her scent. He was territorial and possessive of her. He knew from the very first scent of her that she would be his undoing. Knowing that another male knew about her made his fangs ache with jealousy and the adrenaline pump through his body. If there was one thing that he knew with certainty, it was that he planned on making Helina his, even if it did damn him.
Claiming her
Gaijryc ran as fast as he could to the cabin. He scanned the area and made sure no one followed him. He took the steps up to the porch quickly, yet stealthy. The dim glow of the lights through the kitchen and living room window illuminated the small porch. He breathed heavily, could hear it in the silence and willed himself to calm down.
He closed his eyes and sent his senses inside, searching for what he wanted most. He could hear her heartbeat, the soft and gentle rhythm that calmed and soothed him. He walked to the front door and lifted his hand, his pulse racing so quickly he thought she would surely hear it. He brought his fist down on the wood, the sound seeming too loud even to his ears. She didn’t come to the door, but he could easily hear her little heartbeat pick up a frightened speed.
He sensed her coming closer, her fear going through the wood and into his body. He placed his palm on the cold wood and closed his eyes. His head dropped between his shoulders as he let the feeling of her life force course through him. His fangs ached to pierce her, and his cock throbbed to be buried inside of her until she was fully his. His nails dug into the wood, little shards embedding under his fingernails. “It’s me, Helina.” His voice sounded haggard, deep and scratchy as he continued to let his head hang.