Unleashed, p.4
UNLEASHED., page 4
The taste that floods my mouth is unlike anything I’ve ever known, an elixir that awakens dormant instincts buried deep within me. The liquid flowing into my mouth is a revelation, a mixture of various flavours that dance across my taste buds. It’s the embodiment of life itself, an intoxicating nectar that carries the essence of Jess’ very existence. Each drop is a surge of energy, an infusion of vitality that courses through my veins like liquid fire. It’s as if I’m drinking not only her blood but also her memories, her dreams, and her desires.
“Presly! Stop!” I’m being pulled off of Jess’ limp body on the ground. I pull away from the hands that grip me, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Red covers my hand, and I stare at it, stunned. I look down to where Jess had been lying, but her body is gone. I guess I was thirsty, after all. I turn to come face to face with Daris’ stormy gaze.
“Guess I’m not as strong as I thought.” I step around him, heading back to the house.
“Stop, Presly,” Daris commands and part of me thinks fuck you, but my feet stop moving. Fuck why do I listen to him? My mind doesn’t want to obey him, but my fucking body does! It’s infuriating. I whip around mad as hell... at myself, not him.
“What?” I snarl.
“What the hell just happened, baby?” his voice softens, and his hands run up my arms and come to rest around the back of my neck.
“I don’t know. I was heading to the house, and her scent hit me, and the pain ripped through my throat to my core… I had no control.” I say without any trace of remorse, and that shocks me more than anything. I am changing. I’m not the kind person I once was. I am a predator.
“I don’t feel bad, so don’t try to make me feel bad. You wouldn’t feel bad. You said yourself you’re a predator. Well, guess what? I am too.” I throw his arms off me and stalk toward the house, but I don’t make it more than a couple of steps before Daris takes me to the ground, landing on top of me with a thunderous thud. Pain lances through my back, and I glare into his black-as-coal eyes.
“Presly do not test me. You are strong, but I am stronger. I was an asshole before I changed. You were a kind, sweet, innocent girl. This isn’t you.” His expression softens, and he brushes hair from my face. I soften under his touch… wait… will he want me if I’m not the girl I was, the sweet, kind girl? What if she’s gone forever? What if the dark won?
“You are my girl.” He breathes, kissing me gently. I wonder if he can still get in my head. “Can you still get in my head Daris? Why didn’t you tell me last night?!” I glare at him.
“Maybe.” He smirks, not giving me an answer.
“Ass.” I roll my eyes.
“Let’s go see if you killed her,” he mutters. Pulling me to my feet.
Hours later, Jess is recovering in one of the bedrooms. She forgave me even though I didn’t ask for or need her forgiveness. I still feel next to nothing over it, and I know that’s messed up, but I can’t force feelings.
“So, you’re going to need to feed regularly so you don’t kill all your friends,” Ian says from the bedroom doorway.
“Yes, and you will stop feeding on Eva, or I’ll rip your balls off and feed them to you.” I look up at him and give him a fake smile. He chuckles, crossing his arms over his broad, muscular chest that I can’t help but notice. It’s like my libido has tripled. Hmm, Jesus Christ, stop it! I silently scold myself. I’m so keyed up all the time now. I would fuck the goddamn Amazon delivery guy, I swear. Where is Daris?
“Maybe she likes it.” He smirks at me, running his tongue along his top lip.
“Don’t fucking toy with me, Ian. It won’t end well. Feed on some rando around town. I’m sure there are loads out there.” I lay back and close my eyes. He exhales loudly, and I hear him approach the bed. I don’t need to open my eyes to know he’s watching me.
“I know you want to ravage my body, Ian, but Daris will kill you, and I would rather not have to clean up a mess,” I smirk, eyes still closed. Ian chuckles and leaves the room, and I’m grateful because, honestly, I’m not sure I could turn him down right now! Where the fuck is Daris? I hear the front door and can smell his spicy, musky scent wafting through it, and it calls to me.
“Where were you?” I ask, raising to my elbows.
“Feeding.” He walks to the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
That asshole thinks he can just come and go whenever. How would he like it if I went out and sunk my teeth into random men? Maybe I should. I stand from the bed, taking a step toward the closet to get dressed, and the bathroom door opens.
“Don’t even think about it. You won’t be going anywhere unaccompanied for a while.”
I grit my teeth, not wanting to turn around and face him.
“I just stay like a captive sex toy now? How fun for you.”
“You were always my sex toy. Now get your ass in the shower.”
My feet are moving before my brain has a chance to catch up. I brush past him to the shower, and he chuckles.
“Cocky asshole.”
“You love it.” He laughs, smacking my ass.
Chapter 5
Presly
Standing in front of Daris’ closet the next morning, I realize I have no clothes of my own to wear. I pull on Daris’ T-shirt and find Eva.
“Do you have a pair of leggings I can borrow? I have nothing to wear.”
“Yes, of course, in my room. I’ll go grab them for you.”
“I’ll just come with you,” I say, grabbing a piece of toast from the pile on a plate in the kitchen. Eva pauses and glances at Ian, who is leaning against the counter.
“Maybe you should wait here with me, Little One.” He raises his brows, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Why? And what are you, her protector now?” I glare at him.
“Eva, I’m not hungry. You’re fine, let’s go.” I brush past her and don’t hear her feet moving.
“Now!” I snap, hearing her heart rate speed up. Fuck, she truly is afraid of me. I stop and turn around.
“Eva, please trust I won’t hurt you, okay?” I reach for her hand and pull her toward me, and she follows me toward her room. I look over my shoulder and glare at Ian, who glares right back. I can hear his footsteps not far behind us. He must genuinely care about Eva and Jess now, I guess. Maybe they bonded over the days I was unconscious.
“Black ones are the only ones I have,” she says almost in a whisper, handing them to me.
I step into them, pulling them up over my ass. I hear a low whistle from behind me, Ian.
“Don’t be a pervert, Ian. It isn’t becoming.” I glance over my shoulder at him. He arches his brow at me as his eyes slide down my figure. Shaking my head, I turn to him, walking slowly, swaying my hips deliberately. He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth, and I reach over, placing my hand on the side of the door and slamming it hard in his face. I can hear him chuckle on the other side of the now-closed door. Asshat.
“Eva, what do you say we go shopping today? I need clothes, and I want to get out of the house. Maybe Jess can come, and then we can all go for lunch.”
“Uh, we should probably ask Daris or Ian to come with us.” She won’t meet my eyes.
“I don’t need permission to go anywhere. Ian can stay the hell away from both of you now that I’m alive and well.” She raises her brow, looking at me skeptically.
“You know what I mean… alive enough. Find Jess and see if she’s up for it. Tell her I promise not to kill her.” I turn and leave her to digest. I know she has every reason to be wary or even scared. I could easily kill them both, but I think I can resist killing them, especially now that I have fed… drank… whatever.
As soon as I enter the hall, I sense his presence like a chilling whisper across my skin. It’s an electric pull, both terrifying and intoxicating, that tugs at the very core of my being. The air thickens with anticipation, and every instinct within me screams to keep walking, yet an invisible force compels me to stay.
“You are not leaving this house.” Daris’ low voice comes from behind me.
“Tell me something, Daris, am I ever going to have any privacy in my life?” I turn to face him, and he is inches away, his proximity making my heart race. He smells like heaven, a mix of fresh rain and dark woods, intoxicating and familiar. His appearance is almost unfair—sharp cheekbones, intense eyes, and a body that exudes strength. God, I want him. How can one man be so irresistibly perfect?
He watches me intently, his gaze penetrating, as if he’s reading every thought I try to hide. A slow, knowing smile spreads across his lips, and his hand comes up to rest gently against my face, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.
“No. No, you won’t, baby. You are mine, and I protect what is mine.”
“Daris, I just want a normal day. I want new clothes and lunch with my BWF and cousin.” I lean into his hand, hoping to soften him.
“BWF?” He furrows his brow.
“Yeah, my best witch friend.”
“Clever, but it is still a no. I have to deal with some business now, but I will be back before dinner, and we can go out for a nice meal. We can order clothes for you online.” He kisses my forehead and leaves me standing there like a good lap dog. I’m weak for that man, there is no doubt about it, but I’ll be damned if I stay here when he is out doing whatever he wants. I’m going out. I go to the window to watch him leave and notice there are a couple of cars and two crotch rockets in the driveway. Oooh, I wonder if he will let me try one of those!?
We’re in downtown Seattle after I told the girls to get in the car, this way they can at least babysit me they’re with me. I found a set of keys by the front door that opened a nice enough car. I’m certain there are nicer cars in the garage, but I didn’t have time to search for keys to the garage. We took what was easy. We stand in a clothing store in downtown Seattle, and I have been through all the racks, and there is nothing that appeals to me that I normally would have. I’m getting a bit irritable and snapping at the salesgirls, but I know it’s not their fault I hate everything here.
“Pres, maybe this comfy stuff just isn’t your vibe now,” Jess suggests, and she’s probably right. I mean, the old me is dead, right?
“Possibly. I still like black jeans, but yeah, let’s try the shops across the street. I saw some nice stuff in the window.”
The shop across the street is full of expensive designer brands. It even smells expensive. I chose some dresses I normally wouldn’t look twice at because they are far too revealing, but the red dress calls out. It is a silky bodycon with a plunging neckline and an open back, two slits up each side extending to the hip.
“Well?” I ask, doing a spin. Jess and Eva’s expressions say it all. It is a winner.
“Daris might not let you leave the house rocking that,” Jess says, eyes wide.
“I hope you don’t mind, Miss. I took the liberty of picking these boots for you to try on with the stunning dress.” A younger salesman walks through Jess and Eva and motions to the chair. The man is very attractive, in his early twenties, wearing a black button-up shirt that shows off his broad chest and black dress pants, that do a poor job of concealing his size.
I walk over, sit in the chair, and hold my foot out to him. His eyes quickly sweep my leg to my cleavage, and then his deep brown eyes meet mine. It’s not very subtle, but I’m trying to tease him. What am I doing? I’m not a flirt or a tease, or at least I wasn’t. I can tell he doesn’t know what to do, and he must usually leave the shoes for the person to try on.
“Would you mind helping me with them?” I smile up at him and Eva shifts uncomfortably behind him. I shoot her a questioning look.
“Daris.” She says, eyes widening and raising her eyebrows. I know what she’s saying. He will kill this guy.
“He’s not here, Eva. I’m not a pet,” I snip, turning my gaze back to the salesman on his knees in front of me. I can hear his heart thudding in his chest as he slides the boot up my leg and above my knee. Very sexy boots, indeed. The zipper goes all the way up, but he stops mid-calf and glances up at me, questions in his eyes. He’s not sure if he should let me finish. I open my legs slightly and tilt my head, smirking at him.
“Go on,” I whisper. His hands tremble as he slowly pulls the zipper up. When he’s done with the second boot, I cover his hand with mine, feeling his blood pumping through his veins and his skin’s warmth.
“Oh, you’re chilly.” He sounds slightly startled but doesn’t move his hand from my inner thigh. He stares at me in awe, and I imagine this is how women look at Daris. I wonder if I have the scent lure that Daris and Ian have.
“Thank you.…” I hint at getting his name.
“Jay, uh, Jason.” His voice trembles. I lean down so I’m inches from his face and instantly regret it. The pain is back, ripping through my throat, making me see nothing but the blood pumping through him like he is a walking blood bag. Jess must sense it because she’s pulling Jason to his feet.
“Thank you, Jason. You can go now.” She says softly, eyeing me wearily… as she should. I have other plans, though.
No, he is fine. Thanks, Jess. Why don’t you take Eva to find me a coat?” I say, glaring at her. I see Eva reach into her pocket, pulling out her phone as she turns away. Moving quickly, I grab her arm and dig my fingers in, holding her tightly. I turn back to Jason, trying not to look too suspicious.
“Sit,” I command, excited to see him sit without hesitation.
“Eva, do you want to do something to upset me? Especially with no one here to stop me?” She swallows hard and looks at Jess for some kind of help, I’m sure, but Jess is unmoving. I take her phone and turn back toward Jason, who is sitting statue still.
I stand in front of the mirror, admiring the outfit. I do like it, even though it is not my usual style. The black boots are thigh-high, leaving only a couple of inches from where my dress ends and they begin. It’s a very sexy look.
“What do you think, Jason?” I ask, turning and sauntering over to him. I place my hands on the armrests so my breasts reach his eye level.
“You’re stunning. Wh-what I mean is… the dress and boots. The outfit, I mean. The dress looks nice… well, more than nice. You look, the outfit looks—”
“Stop talking, Jason.” I hear his heart, his breathing, his blood pumping through his veins. I hear it all and know he’s not leaving here with all his blood. I run my bottom lip up his ear, causing him to shiver and inhale sharply.
“Do I make you nervous, Jason?” I whisper, pulling him to his feet, his body flush with mine.
“Presly,” Jess’ voice comes from behind me. I ignore her, pulling Jason to the changing room with me. I close the door behind us. I turn to him and lean my back against the door, pulling his hand to me, turning his wrist up and unbuttoning the cuff of his shirt. His hand grazes my breast, and he is panting like a puppy. Our eyes are now locked as I roll up his sleeve.
“Do you want me, Jason?”
“Hell, who wouldn’t? I mean, yes, you are a sexy woman. But I can’t do this here. Let me take you on a date. I want to take you out.” My lips are on his wrist, kissing it softly.
“Hmm, I don’t think my boyfriend would like that, Jason. He is a very possessive man. In fact, if he saw this… he would kill you. He would rip your beating heart from your chest.” I continue kissing his wrist as my hand rubs his chest, feeling his heart race.
“What! You have a boyfriend?” He snaps, trying to pull away, but I tighten my grip on his wrist and fist his shirt, holding him in place. He’s starting to panic as he realizes how strong I am. I look into his eyes and pull his face to mine.
“It’s okay, Jason. I only need you for a minute. I want to try something. I promise I won’t hurt you. Just relax.” He visibly relaxes beneath my fingertips, and I pull his wrist to my mouth as I keep my eyes trained on his. My teeth are extended, but he doesn’t seem to clock it. I sink my teeth in and begin to suck the glorious fluid from him. It is a liquid pleasure.
I don’t even know if I can make him forget this. What if I can’t, and he runs and tells someone? I’ll have to kill him and the people he tells. This could be a really bad situation, not only for me but everyone in my life. Just kill him here and now. My inner self has turned into the Dark Witch, and she’s no longer hiding in the corners of my mind.
I find the strength to pull my teeth from his wrist and close my eyes momentarily, trying to think. What the fuck do I do now!? I can’t kill him. Why not? Fuck! Calm down.
“Sit,” I command. What was his name… shit. Jason. Okay, Let’s try this. I take a deep breath. I realize I don’t need to, but it helps to give me a minute. I lick any of the blood from his wrist and button up the cuff of his shirt. Good thing he is wearing black. I’m kneeling in front of him, my face inches from him.
“Jason, you will get a bandage to cover this and show no one. You caught it on some exposed nails in the stock room. Do you understand?” I hope this fucking works.
“Yes, I understand. I won’t show anyone. Are you serious with your boyfriend or open to dating someone else?” He is looking at me like he is in love or something. Fuck.
“Yes, I love him,” I say as I stand up, open the door, and walk out. Jess and Eva are waiting there, as expected.
“Oh, relax, he’s fine.” I roll my eyes and motion toward Jason. He exits the changing room and leaves us to continue shopping. I can’t believe that worked! This is awesome.
We hit a few more stores, and I have a new wardrobe. I’m bored, and I’m sure Jess and Eva have aged a decade worrying I was going to kill someone.
“Well, I’m ready to go back to the house. How about you guys?” They’re leaning against the car.
“Yes, I’m ready.” Jess yawns, and Eva just nods.
“Not a word of what happened to Daris or Ian, got it?” I look from one to the other.
