Chapter Seven

“Do you think he’s healing like that? I mean everywhere on his body.” Rose asked with hope in her voice. She hated that Duncan was in the condition that he was is because he risked his life to save hers and would probably suffer for the rest of his life in pain, but now hope was on the horizon. Duncan always reminded her that his trust problems stemmed from being hurt by others and it always left scars, scars that never fully heal because others tend to reopen them without realizing it. If Duncan’s bite wounds could heal like the small cut on his hand, then hopefully he wouldn’t hold it against her personally, Rose thought.

“It’s quite possible and that’s why he’s in so much pain.” Devlin observed.

“I would think a magical form of healing would be less painful.”

“There are many forms of healing and I imagine he’s going through multiple ones as we speak. Pain is associated with healing and who knows what that magical energy is doing on the inside as well as the outside.”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that…I wonder what he will feel when he comes to.” Rose turned her head in shame as she added, “Hopeful no pain at all.”

Devlin’s lips parted as he looked at Rose, her eyes were watering. He maneuvered over and sat beside her and cupped his fingers under Rose’s chin so she would face him.

“What’s with the guilt?” Devlin asked with concern.

“This is my fault, damn it!” Rose shouted as tears fell unhindered as she shot to her feet to walk away with her arms around her abdomen, “He wouldn’t be in this condition if he would’ve saved himself and…and…”

“Left you behind to die?” when Rose nodded quickly, Devlin added, “Come now Rose, do you really believe he would’ve done that to you? He’s more honorable than that and I should know because I’ve been watching him. Today was no different.”

Rose sniffled as she asked, “How so?”

“What I saw today was your little village overrun with ghouls and the villagers didn’t have a snowballs chance to escape alive. Duncan had every opportunity to escape, but he hesitated when he looked at hut…maybe whatever secret he has that you know of made him do it or he simply didn’t want you to die.”

“But Duncan doesn’t think that much of me. He likes to tease and we banter with each other, but he has nothing to tie himself to me in any way, shape or form.”

Devlin pulled Rose into his body and held on to her tightly. Rose inhaled his masculine scents that wafted up into her nostril. Forest, earth, and copper. The copper was probably from him being a vampire and feeding on blood. He seemed genuine that he cared about how she felt as he ran his fingers through Rose’s damp hair. He leaned in next to her ear and murmured, “Don’t sell yourself so short Rose. Any man who is as good as Duncan would have many reasons to want to be tied to you. You’re smart, attractive and full of fire and can take care of yourself.”

“Why would that matter to any man? Look at me now, I’m a fucking wreck with barely anything on my back expect this flimsy robe. What good am I to anyone like this?”

Devlin grabbed Rose by her arms and put his forehead against hers, looking into her eyes. Rose didn’t want to look at Devlin so she averted her eyes because this was beginning to be too much for her to take.

“Look at me, Rose.” Devlin said crisply, “Look at me please.”

Rose finally looked him in his eyes and her heart and head felt like they were overflowing with emotions. Why did he care so damn much? She could see he hated seeing her like this and quite frankly, Rose hated for anyone to see her in this state too. She was brought up to be strong and never show any signs of weakness, like crying in front of others. Rose was looking for an escape route so she could hide and let out her emotions, but Devlin wasn’t budging.

“Any man would see those qualities and think to themselves that they wouldn’t have to carry their load as well as yours. They wouldn’t see you as an equal because you bring so much more to the table that you could compliment what they have, which makes for a good partner. You would be a good partner for any man whose worthy of your time and energy Rose, whether they be a friend, a travelling companion…or a lover.”

Rose’s breath hitched up at the last of Devlin’s words. Why was his words affecting me so much, Rose wondered. Probably looking to disarm me with his sweet words and then disrobe me with his tender touch.

“Tell me the truth Rose, how long has been since you’ve been with a good man?”

And we have a winner! Ding, ding, ding! Give this lady a prize! Rose had to stifle a laugh because the thought of this man disrobing her, right here and now inside this cave, was turning her on but she didn’t want to seem too easily slain by this gorgeous, undead beast’s charms. She decided to take control of this situation and treat him all the other suitors who breezed into Melona. If I’m going to play with this scorching fire holding me, I might as well get burned.

“You mean sexually?” Rose raised an eyebrow provocatively, “Why? Are you offering?”

Devlin let out low growl – “Yes…and no. You misunderstood me. What I meant was how long has it been since you had a good man as a friend, companion, or a lover. Though now you got me curious about the last one.”

“I’m sure it does, but if I start answering your questions, then you need to do the same for me. If you want me to be honest and blunt, I can be but I expect the same from you. What do you say to that, Devlin?”

Devlin straighten up as he let her go -“I can do the same if you wish but there are certain things I can’t discuss, for survival reason. If it’s what I would consider secret, I will say that the subject is closed. Is that a fair compromise?”

Rose nodded as she glanced down at Duncan. Guilt crept into her mind, wondering if she should be caring more for him having a twenty questions session with the vampire. I should be tending to his wounds and making up more of the medicinal poultice. Water! Rose thought with a panic as she hunted around for anything that she could use to serve it to Duncan.

“What are you doing, Rose?”

“What does it look like I’m doing? He needs water and I’m not sure if there’s anything in here that I can use.”

“Like a canteen?” Devlin asked.

“Yes or – hey where did you get that?”

Devlin had an amused look as he shook the canteen in his hand – “In Duncan’s bag. It was full so I took the liberty of giving his a few sips.”

“Really?” Rose asked with confusion, “When did you have time to do that?”

“While you were over there by your furry friends. He’s really good about packing his bag with all the essentials for being on the road.” Rose felt her cheeks heat up. Why the hell didn’t I think to look in his bag? Devlin unscrewed the lid and handed it to Rose. “Drink up. You’ll need it as much as he does.”

Rose took a few swigs – “I’m fine.”

“You’re flustered and tired. What you need to do is calm down and relax.”

Rose snorted as she handed Duncan’s canteen back to the vampire – “Oh that’s easy to do. I’m wet, cold and have no bed to sleep on in this wretched hole in the ground. Unlike you, I will need both food and water to sustain myself as well as care for Duncan!”

“Sorry that we all can’t be perfect like me, but rest assured you won’t starve. Duncan does have food in his bag.”

“Probably trail mix and energy bars. I want something better like apples or peaches, like -”

“Like you had back in Melona?” When Rose nodded, he added, “Then don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back.” Devlin disappeared right in front of Rose, which startled her at first. Teleporting was a skill she hadn’t seen and would take her mind time to get around to the fact that someone could actually do it. She looked down at Duncan and guilt hit her full swing for being so selfish. This man had a bug out bag packed, ready for life on the road and here I am whining that I prefer fresh fruits to what he had to offer. Hell he risked his damn life to save my ungrateful ass and now what he had packed away for himself, Duncan would have to share with bitchy o’ me. Rose was use to the finer things in life and now it was time to put her big girl panties on and suffer like everyone else around her, except she didn’t have any panties. A pop of air and a whisper by her ear startle Rose to the point of stumbling down as she tripped over Duncan’s body. Before she hit the ground, an arm was around her waist and lifted her up backwards and into his body.

“Sorry,” Devlin chuckled, “didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“Can you really blame me? I was nearly eaten alive today so give me a better heads up next time you pop in here, you ass!” Devlin held her tightly against his body, letting her curves melt settle against his rock hard body. Rose struggled for a moment but then he produced a juicy red apple in her face and all her cares seemed to go blow away in the wind.

“Where did you get this from?” Rose purred as she took a bite, not bothering to take the apple from Devlin’s hand which he didn’t mind at all.

“I plucked them from your own orchard.”

“You didn’t have to do this. I was being selfish and bratty about Duncan’s supplies.”

“It was no trouble at all Rose. Now let me take this wet thing off you so you can feel warmer.”

Rose looked over her shoulder – “You’re just dying to take my robe off so why not, right?”

“I’ve already died once so this is purely for survival reasons.” Devlin grinned and then added, “You will get hypothermia if you don’t get out of those wet clothes. Make a small fire right there and I can drape your robe over that rock to dry it out.”

Rose nodded but kept an eye on the vampire. She didn’t fully trust him but then again, Devlin had been on his best behavior. He could easily subdue her and take whatever he wanted from Rose and there would be no stopping him, but he hadn’t. She closed her eyes and made a small red flame appear in her hand. She let it drop on the ground where it stayed and didn’t go out. It would flicker with the air that passed into the cave and nothing more. If Rose wanted it to get bigger or go out, she could will it to happen.

Rose felt Devlin’s fingers as he gently tugged at the bath robe, slowly peeling it away from her body. She shivered as he let it slip down her back, letting it softly caress her damp skin. Naughty vampire, she thought but wasn’t about to tell him to stop. As her arms were freed from the sleeves, Devlin moved from behind Rose and draped it delicately over the jagged rock by the flame. With it off, Rose felt the warmth from her fire as it heated up the cave almost like a sauna.

Devlin turned around and got a full eye view of a skyclad Rose. He stood there as he ran a hand over his mouth, appreciating what he was seeing. Rose put her hands on her hips as she asked, “Is this what you were hoping to see tonight?”

“It is,” Devlin’s voice came out hoarser than earlier, “and so much more.”

Devlin beckoned Rose to him with the apple she had taken several bites from already. She sauntered slowly towards him, making sure that he would see everything and then she snatched the apple from his hand and turned around to show off her bare ass. Rose smiled in between bites as she heard him groan with lust.

“Like I said before, Thanks for the apple. I figure I might as pay you for the time it took you to gather it with a little peep show.”

“Who said I only brought one back.”

Rose turned around and saw Devlin had his wicked grin on full display, his fangs fully erect as well as his own member as it strained through his black pants to be released. I guess that answers THAT question, Rose giggled inwardly.

“If you want more food,” He spread his black coat open to show the bulges in the pockets, “then you’ll have to come and get it.”

Rose’s mouth gaped open. How many fruits did he grab for her? She felt her body drawn to Devlin and before she knew it, she was inches away from him. His fiery red eyes looked onto hers in a possessive way, like he was claiming her and no other person in the world mattered. Rose felt him wrap his thick coat around her body as he tugged her next to his, the bulges of fruits all around her and so was his rock hard member too.

Devlin held on to her as if she might run away as he said, “Let’s sit down and get you all warm and cozy by the fire, shall we?” She nodded as he lowered them both down to the ground. He adjusted his legs so she could sit on his lap and be able to face him. Rose leaned into Devlin’s body and inhaled his scent as it wafted up. She got a sense of calm and safety in his embrace and wondered if this was normal to feel this way about a complete stranger. Was this feeling all hers or did the vampire release some sort of pheromone to make all his victims more willing and suggestible?

Devlin ran his fingers through Rose’s hair slowly and methodically, like he was playing a musical instrument and was the only one who could hear the music being played. Rose gazed up at the vampire and saw that his eyes were closed and that with each stroke, he was inhaling. Okay, that’s different. Rose wondered what she smelled like to him, besides dinner and sex. Was he worth getting to know or play him like all the other male suitors that breezed through Melona? The fire was a good comfort but so was being so close to Devlin. Just the smallest gestures like running his finger through her hair or willing to go to Rose’s orchard to gather food for her spoke volumes to her. Rose felt a pang of guilt in the pit of her stomach. What if he would have teleported there and got caught in the middle of a horde of ghouls? Would they have tried to eat him or not bother him because they knew he was dead like they were?

“What are you thinking about?” Rose whispered.

“Food. Care to donate to the cause?” Devlin grinned.

“I’m being serious, jackass!”

“So was I, Rose.” Rose felt like running away as fast as she could but with his quick reflexes and teleportation, it would be a wasted effort on her part. Devlin hugged her close to his body, trying to calm her down, but Rose wasn’t having any of it.

“Is that all I am to you? A fucking walking, talking happy meal?”

“No you are so much more to me than that. If you weren’t, I’d be feeding on you without a care in the world. Even your naked body wouldn’t have stopped me. How many times do I need to say it before you will understand that I’m not here to hurt you Rose? Sure I’d love get a taste of your blood, but now is not the time for that.”

“With comments like that, how can I believe you won’t do it? How can I trust you?”

Devlin sighed – “You misunderstand what I’m saying yet again. To me you are food, this much is true, but also at the same time you are a prize both worth treasuring and fighting to keep safe from others. I wish to do you no harm, Rose, and if that means to travel to roads with you and never seeing another human around to feed on. So be it, I would starve.”

Rose stopped her struggle as she looked up at the vampire. The look in his eyes said it all and he was being honest, though she couldn’t imagine what his hunger for blood was like and quite frankly never wanted to know. How could he forsake her blood when it could easily save his own life from needlessly suffering? Rose doubted that there could be a time on the road where his scenario would happen because of the amount of humans that straggled around everywhere. But then again, Rose didn’t know because she hadn’t had to deal with the daily struggles of being on the road and not in the safe confines of her own village.

“You wanted me to be open and honest when you asked me questions, didn’t you?” Devlin asked with a knowing gaze, “Please don’t take what I’m saying lightly. The need for blood is a terrible but necessity for me to sustain myself. Think what it would be like to be starving for weeks on end and having your succulent orchard in front of you, but just out of reach. Now times that by ten and that’s how bad the hunger gets for me on a daily basis.”

“But-but why would you torment yourself when you could have my blood for the taking? It’s not like I could stop you.”

“Oh but you can and already are, you just don’t know it Rose.” Devlin turned his gaze away, looking at her fire.

Rose snorted – “Really? Am I protected somehow? How is it that I’m stopping you dead in your tracks from ripping my throat out and taking your fill? I’m not wearing anything, except you for the moment so what is it that repels you?”

He didn’t look at her but he spoke, almost soundly like he was far away and lost in a memory. “I’ve been watching your village for a while now and was waiting for the opportunity to speak with Duncan alone and away from prying eyes, which meant I couldn’t just teleport my way into your lovely village. As I watched, I saw you on many occasions dealing with traders and being the strength for others within the village. I saw a woman who demanded respect and who could handle herself without the need to hide behind others. I could hear some of the lewd remarks made by the traders and it took all my self-control not to pop in and rip their throats out for such and offense against you.”

“Feeling a little jealous were you?” Rose smile but he never looked her way.

“I wanted to protect you from the world, but I felt that that wouldn’t be possible nor necessary. You have Duncan and I knew he would watch over you because he’s a good and honorable man who would never cause you any harm. I wanted to ask him about you but knew he wouldn’t say anything other than your name and what you do….He’s a keeper, Rose.”

Rose felt butterflies growing in her stomach - “You sound so sad when you say that. Why is that Devlin?”

Devlin finally looked at Rose - “Because you are a treasure to behold and loved like no other woman in the world. You would make this life worth living.”

Rose loudly gulped, now worried if the vampire was thinking about the two of them together or lamenting about someone he could never have because of his immortality. What would it be like to live the life of a vampire, Rose pondered, would I still retain my sorceress magic and the ability to commune with nature? Rose put her head against Devlin’s chest, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep and wake up from this horrible dream. She wanted to be back in her cozy queen size bed with a roaring fire going in her private hut. She smiled slightly as she thought of not being alone when she woke up. Would she want to wake up with Devlin or Duncan lying next to her? Why not both? It was her fantasy so why can’t I have both? Her body felt hotter than normal as her core responded by getting aroused and slick. Exactly how long has it been since I was with a man?

Too fucking long obviously, seeing as the mere fantasies she was having now was causing her body jump into high gear. My life is in turmoil and danger is around every tree and here I am wanting to get laid! Way to prioritize Rose, she chastised herself, but if she was going to die out on the road shouldn’t she at least play the field? She noticed Devlin was shifting his body and felt his throbbing member poking her ass, his pants were damp and not from the rain outside.

“Do you want me to move so you can sit more comfortably?” Rose asked, but hoped he would say no!

“I’d rather be uncomfortable than see you wet and shivering from the cold.”

Score! Now to play - “Is it the HARD rocks under us that’s making things uncomfortable?” Rose gave Devlin a beguiling smile and a wink which made him let out a low growl. Rose wondered just how much he could take and still be a gentleman with a beautiful, naked woman in his lap. You’re playing with fire, Rose, she reminded herself, keep it up and you will get scorched. Devlin’s red eyes were locked on her eyes, but every so often he glanced down at her neck. Rose bit her lip as she careened her head to the side, exposing her carotid artery to the vampire.

Devlin breathing got heavier, his voice more raspy as he whispered, “Rose, you are making things difficult…Why must you play this dangerous game with me? I told you I wanted to keep you safe. How can I when you make me want to…”

Rose caressed her hand down his chest and slowly made her way down to Devlin’s pulsating shaft. She grabbed it forcefully to get his attention and began rubbing it through his pants, grinding it against the fabric. Devlin felt her slide off him just enough so she could use her other hand and cup his swollen balls. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as his eyelids fluttered rapidly.

“What am I making you want to do to me?” Rose purred against his chest as she nipped at his nipple through his shirt, “I’m doing my best to behave so I can trust in you to do the same.”

“W-What?” Devlin muttered out incoherently.

“If I’m going to be able to trust you,” Rose murmured by his ear as she stroked him hard and fast, “then you have to be on your best behavior, even now.”

“Rose…please, don’t…”

“Don’t stop? Not a problem big boy, here let me help you out.” She chuckled mischievously as she unfastened his pants and tugged at the zipper. Rose coaxed Devlin’s hot, throbbing member through the hole in his boxers. Guess that answers that boxer/briefs question too, she giggled inwardly. Rose had a firm grip on his big shaft and twisted it as she stroke it in a rhythmic movement. Devlin buried his face against the wall, torn between ecstasy and lust as his hips began to buck uncontrollably with each stroke Rose gave him.

He clenched hands into fist, digging his sharp fingernails into his palms as he tried to maintain control. With his eyes closed, Devlin grimaced as he mentally repeated the same mantra over and over again in his head: Stay calm, remain in control! Stay calm, remain in control! Stay calm, remain in control! Through the foggy haze in his head, Devlin could barely hear Rose asking him a question. The blood that coursed through this wicked woman’s veins screamed to be tapped, her heart was racing in tune with his own.

“So…how long has it been since you’ve been with a good woman?”

“Too…long…Rose…” He bit out as he gasped for air.

“I hate to break it to you, but you’re not with one now.” Rose purred as she leaned down and kissed his crown and licked the pre-cum from the tip, “I’m a bad woman to be with. Hmm, how long has it been since someone has sucked on you, vampire?”

Did he hear her right? Was she going to suck his blood? No, Devlin thought through the cobwebs of euphoria. He looked down and saw a sight that nearly sent off to the deep end. Rose was no longer covered up by his jacket and she had her arms resting on his tights as she worked his member over, she also was on her knees, making her curvy back bow and jutted her ass up in the air. It swayed up and down and Devlin felt mesmerized by the slightest movement from Rose’s ass. Rose Macready was a Goddess!

“I shall take your silence as a no.” Rose giggled, “It’s time for this lovely piece to get the Rose treatment.”

“W-what…Rose…oooh….ughhhh!” Devlin moaned out as Rose started flickering her tongue along the tip and the crown. Once she got it wet enough, Rose gently blew on it, making Devlin shiver and then she licked some more. He bucked his hips, wanting to fuck Rose’s mouth but she leaned down on his tight and kept his thrusts to a minimal as she teased him with more licks along the length of his shaft.

Devlin’s fangs grew longer with want and the need to feed built up inside him like it never had before. If I could have a small taste of her, I could be – NO! He mentally screamed. He was at war with himself and felt the hunger inside him was gaining ground on his with each passing second. He looked down just in time to see Rose fully envelope his throbbing member into that sweet, wet mouth of hers. Fucking heaven! Devlin did his best to control his bucking, but even that wasn’t possible. How could she manage to take complete and utter control over my body?

“Mmmmm,” Rose purred as she hummed, vibrating his member with her mouth, “delicious! I’m feeling a bit greedy, I think I will take more of you…what do you say to that, Devlin?” As Rose took Devlin’s member fully into her mouth, his eyes shot open. There was no longer any white in his eyes nor could his iris or pupil be seen, it was consumed with a blood red tint as both his lust for blood and her were neck in neck in a heated race to see which one come out on top.

Rose bobbed her head as she stroked Devlin’s member briskly, wanting to make him explode. I wonder how long it had been since he had a proper release, Rose though, longer than me I’m sure. She felt his member swelling up, the little veins bulging everywhere along his shaft. Rose knew it wouldn’t be much longer and Devlin would explode his seed like a geyser. Devlin snarled and contorted his body as the heavy pressure was building up for a climax like nothing he had experience in ages…and so was his blood lust.

Devlin yanked back the sleeve of his coat and viciously bit down on his forearm, his fangs piercing his skin and muscle like they were nothing. He drank his own blood to help sate his hunger, but it was only a temporary fix and Devlin knew it. He hoped that Rose would be too distracted by her wicked fun that she wouldn’t notice him draining himself. It was degrading to do this sort of thing. An old survival trick he learned long ago when food was scarce and his blood lust was domineering at the time. As bad as this looked, Devlin wanted her to fully trust him that he wouldn’t harm her and so he chose to harm himself.

Just as his blood lust was starting to ramp up once more, shockwaves of euphoria and lightheadedness slapped him back into reality as he was in the throes of ejaculating. Devlin let go of his bloody forearm and screamed as he bucked his hips like a maniac. Rose watched with glee as he sprayed his cum all over both of them, it felt as hot as lava and could burn her core just as easily if let him inside her.

A bright light from her left caught Rose’s attention. She knew it wasn’t her fire because it sat to her left and was flaring and burning brightly with the passion she got from handling Devlin’s member. Her fire looked like a candle flame compared to this new light source. Was someone coming, besides the vampire? Rose thought about several different spells she could cast and had them at the ready, just in case.

She looked over and saw where the new source of light was coming from. It was Duncan and he was glowing a bright and vibrant purple all over his body and not only that, he was floating in the air. Rose let go of Devlin and stood up as best as she could and patted over towards Duncan. As she neared, she could tell it was coming from his body and not someone’s spell work attacking him. Rose reached out and let her hand touch the purple glow. It gave Rose a sense of calm and peace, like she was in another plane where nothing could harm her and the horrors of this world seemed to melt away.

As the glow dissipated, Duncan’s body lowered itself back down to the ground. Rose stood there dumbfounded as yet another piece came to the forefront. What was he becoming and why now? A sharp shifting of feet from behind caught her attention. Rose turned around with a beguiling smile, but what she saw made her want to run away in terror. Devlin had his pants down at his ankles and blood dripping from his left arm, but it was his blood red eyes that sent her into a panic.

“Rose!” He snarled as his fangs dripped with blood, “Forgive me…but I must feed!” He lunged at her with hunger in his eyes, ready to feed and Rose was going to be the main course on his menu. Played with fire, Rose and now it’s time to burn.

Next Chapter: Chapter Eight