Page 35 of Crossing Between
"You're saying I'm just like you, but not twisted?"I screwed my face up as I found the strength to move away from their touch. "You lie. I amnothinglike you."
That laugh again. "You'll see soon how close to me you really are, but for now, little Souldbinder, you should go back to your guardians before they become annoying to me. I'll see you very soon."
Before I could think of a reply, I could feel myself slammed back into my physical body with a cry. My whole body was curled in on itself, and I felt myself sobbing as the pain I'd felt while I had been with the Essencefeaster teased at my senses.
"Ow." My throat was raw as I managed to croak out that one word before feeling myself falling back into unconsciousness.
Chapter 25: Zoey
Someone was stroking my hair as I floated in warmth and blissfulness.
"There she is." The soft voice made bumps appear on my arms, I could feel them rising. "Zoey, my love, can you open your eyes for us?"
It was Elias's voice. There was concern in the tone, but mostly relief. I could feel myself moving toward it, and my eyes fluttered open, taking a few seconds to focus.
I blinked up at the three men bending over me, their faces screwed up in concern and Kenji's was a furious scowl, no hint of the happy-go-lucky oni I was used to.
I reached up to touch his cheek, which seemed to jolt him out of his anger as he held my hand to his cheek. His lips pressed against my palm, his fangs brushed against my skin.
"Zoey. Thank the old gods." Varon pulled my attention from Kenji, who wouldn't let my hand go, and I tried to give Varon and Elias a smile, but it took a bit more energy than I had.
"Hi." I needed some water. I attempted to sit up, but my back decided that was not a good idea as it spasmedon me. "OW."
Being older sucked. Especially right now.
Elias' tentacles reached for me, his cool appendages touching my skin, giving me almost instant relief as his healing powers pulsed from him to me. I sank into his chest with a sigh as he pulled me into his lap.
"Where'd you go on us, beautiful girl?" Elias kissed my forehead as his magic continued to run through my limbs. "We couldn't reach you."
"My magic. I was connecting to it." I looked around, finally able to focus as the pain disappeared while I sat in his lap. "Qulith? I think I finally unlocked it just as he found me."
Quilith's face, twisted with concern, popped up between Varon and Kenji. "I am so sorry, Zoey! I was supposed to protect you." They gripped my hands, their own shaking slightly, and I squeezed theirs.
"You couldn't have known. I think it's my magic that draws him. He seemed excited that I was there, that he wasn't alone." My brows scrunched as I started to think. "He said he'd see me soon. So," I looked at all of them. "I think I'm the best chance we have to catch him. Use me as bait."
"Look, darling," Qulith wouldn't let go of my hands. "As much as I was all for this plan earlier, if this jackhat can bypass the protection spells I had around you without me even noticing, I can't agree with using you as bait now." They shook their head at me as I went to protest. "We'll find another way. For now, we should let our vampire lord here set up protections around you and we redouble our efforts to find this demon without putting you in any more danger."
Varon pulled me to my feet as he took me out of Elias' lap. "You'll be staying here with me. You're not going to leave my sight until we have the demon under wraps or dead." He gestured at Kenji and Elias. "You'll also be staying here. One of us will be withZoey at all times."
Quilith stood, brushing their pants off. "I am going to take a few days off, Varon. I think it's time I try to get in contact with some of my brethren." They touched my cheek. "You take care of yourself while I'm gone. You got it? I'll be back and hopefully with some help."
Chapter 26: Zoey
I was going crazy. These men who made my heart race and my pussy immediately gush when they looked at me, were making me go crazy.
I was ready to jump one of them. Or all. It depended on what they were doing.
"Varon," I blew out the breath I had been holding to try not to snap at him. "I get that the demon is after me now, but you can't just keep me locked up in your house forever. I need to go home, check on my neighbor, and my brother is starting to ask questions." Not to mention, I missed my own clothes. Wearing the spare clothing Varon had lying around was getting old. I did not do well with dark colors, I needed my bright neons back.
Varon looked up at me from the laptop he was working on. We were in one of his living rooms (yes, the man's house had multiple living rooms). We were sitting on the couch with some work things between us. My eyes were about to go cross-eyed if I didn't take a break soon.
"We all agreed it was best that you stay here with me while we searched for this fucker." Varon tipped his head to the side slightly. "Aren't you comfortablehere?"
I shook my head. "It's not that. Your house is amazing and the bed is the most comfortable I've ever slept in. My point is that I have a life and I can't just abandon it because some asshole wants to hurt me. I have a family that I need to see." Not to mention, I wanted to make sure Ruth was doing all right. I was so used to checking in on her daily. She had to be worried. "I want to go home. Please."
I watched as several emotions flitted across his face. He was so close to saying yes, but the danger and his sense of duty were keeping him from taking that last step. A sudden burst of courage had me standing from where I sat next to him, and I found myself straddling his lap. His eyes widened in shock before lust filled them, matching what I could start feeling inside myself. My hands moved down his chest, my fingernails dragging down his shirt. I could feel him hardening underneath me, and felt a surge of power that I could get this reaction from the vampire.
I leaned forward, our lips touched briefly just as his hands gripped my hips, pushing my pussy to grind against his cock through our clothes.
