Page 28 of Desired for Her Blood
Zuben holdsme under his arm as we swim beneath the waterfall, and I barely feel the tug of the current as his strong body kicks to pull us through.
We surface on the other side and I gasp for air. We weren’t under that long, but long enough for my lungs to feel the pressure.
Zuben looks into my eyes with concern. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, I smile and then push out from under his arm, rolling onto my back to float, staring up to the top of the cave, so high above. There’s definitely more sunlight streaming through the small gap at the top now, and I wonder if I’d burn if I ventured under the scalding circle of light.
I burned after Ryker drank from my vein, but would the same be true after I drank from his? I have so many questions.
I’m filled with uncertainty about who I am, but Zuben’s answers helped, and the water did too. Plus, it’s cooled the heat between my legs.
Zuben treads water beside me as I float on my back. “Shall we join the others?”
I flip over. “Race you.” I barely take two strokes before Zuben lands on his feet at the edge of the pool.
“It is not wise for a human to challenge a vampire to a race.” He grins, his gorgeously lean and muscular body damp and shining, and I feel a tug inside me—one that’s not rooted in my previous physical need, but someplace deeper. Somewhere in my heart.
Zuben comes off stiff, almost clinical, but he showed me so much compassion back there while we talked, calming my fears and providing straightforward information. And as for the sex…
The sex was equal parts mind-blowing and heart breaking. I long to know why he took me with such brutal force and why he doesn’t seem to garner any pleasure or satisfaction from it himself. Every encounter with him yields clues and I want to uncover all the mysteries of Zuben.
Race lost, I swim slowly, keeping my head above water and my eyes on the men, loving how the three of them look together, gathered at the water’s edge, intently watching me. How did I ever get so lucky?
Lucky? I laugh inwardly. I’m trapped in a dungeon filled with vampires and any number of dangerous supernatural creatures; I’ve made an enemy of a powerful and vindictive vampire, who sealed us into an underground cave; and I’ve just discovered I might be some kind of witch—or magic keeper who’s possibly descended from a goddess?
And yet Idofeel lucky. Incredibly lucky to have these three men at my side.
Reaching the edge, I brace my hands, readying myself to push out of the water, but Ryker and Zuben take me under the arms and effortlessly lift me to shore so quickly I feel like I was shot out of a canon.
A thrill traces through me.
“Thanks.” I smile up at each of them. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to their strength and power, not to mention their overwhelmingly good looks.
“Take off that wet t-shirt,” Axe says.
I glance toward him, wondering if he’s feeling amorous, or even knows about wet t-shirt contests, given the years he’s been trapped down here.
“You’ll get cold.” He diverts his gaze as he holds out the wool blanket.
“Thank you.” I take the blanket from Axe, and then remove my t-shirt and wrap the warm wool around me, feeling instantly better. I approach the big man, who’s still looking down and away, and put my hand gently on his arm.
His muscles tense under my touch as if startled or shocked, but then he turns toward me. “I can’t express how sorry I am for leaving you back—”
I hold up my hand to stop him. “Axe. It’s okay. I understand. We’ll talk more later, okay?”
He nods, and the gratitude and warmth in his eyes nearly melts me.
“Axe thinks he knows a way out of here,” Ryker says, and I turn back toward him.
“What is your idea?” Zuben asks, as he slips his arms and his not-quite-dry torso into his dress shirt. “How do we get out of here?”
“I didn’t say Iknewa way out. Not exactly.” Axe shakes his head. “Let’s sit by the fire. Ember, are you hungry?”
“A bit…” I inhale, and the smell of cooked meat envelops me. My stomach growls. It’s such a delicious scent I can’t believe it wasn’t the first thing I noticed when I came out of the water. Then again, I had three gorgeous, naked men to draw my attention.
Axe crouches by the fire, where he uses his discarded jeans to protect his hand as he removes a long metal skewer that’s balanced above the fire, hunks of meat, dripping juices, impaled along it.
“Sit,” he says as he balances the skewer between two rocks so the meat can cool.
