Dark Hunger

Elize's thoughts raced everywhere. Between the kiss and the lust and the new energy she was feeling, it was her inner voice that shook her. Magic? Caleb was a sorcerer. Did that mean that his magic transferred to her? Was it one of the repercussions of drinking his blood, because that was the only plausible thing that came to her mind? 

She had no idea how the red tendril escaped from her mouth but confusion and panic blossomed in her chest. She let out an audible gasp. Did magic speak? And it scared the hell out of her. What if the magic went out of control? Somewhere in the middle of swirling emotions, Elize closed her eyes and went off to sleep in the warmth of the chest of the man who held her close to him. She didn't protest, she didn't want to protest. Starved of any form of love or care, she just gave in—for the moment. Her dreams consisted of shadows coming in and out of red tendrils of smoke swirling slowly. 

Next morning when Elize fluttered her eyes open, she saw him lying a little far away from her, watching her. The curtains were already drawn and not a single ray of daylight was peeping inside their room. He was holding her hand next to his chest. "How are you feeling?" he asked in a soft voice. 

"Better," she replied as she thought she was going to melt under his gaze if she didn't get out of the bed right now. "I am sorry about yesterday." 

"Sorry? What for?" he asked with a frown. 

She pursed her lips. "Did you get Laurel back?" 

He understood her guilt. Bringing her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss and said, "Elize, you are the queen of Ixoviya, which Laurel understands. It was her fault by not getting the food for you in time." He omitted the word 'blood'. "She had to deal with the punishment." 

"But still, you must get her out of jail." 

"Auril has already left and he will bring her back any time soon." 

She nodded feeling better. Memories of yesterday night flashed in her mind and she blushed like a thousand suns. Her gaze slipped to his and the wolf gave her a sly grin. She pulled her hand away from him and jumped out of the bed. She walked to the bathroom while pulling her hair up in a messy bun and heard him gasping audibly. Elize rolled her eyes and closed the door behind her. As if he would stay out. 

She ran a hot water bath for her. And while she did that, she tossed her clothes in a heap. She noticed blood stains on her white sweater and felt terrible about it. It was brand new. She stood in front of the mirror as the tub was filling and surprise cruised through her when she noticed how every part of her body had suddenly become curvier than before. Her lips were as red as her eyes. Her breasts, her hips and every other contour of her body was defined. Her skin was a healthy shade of pink and peach and white. Gods, what happened overnight? 

She turned to the side and inspected herself as if trying to pinch her way out of her dream, but the curves looked even more prominent. When she fluttered her fingers around her body, she sent wisps of red smoky tendrils along her skin. They moved like silent serpents trying to caress her. Elize drew in a sharp breath. 

All at once the doors of the bathroom opened and she whipped her head to see that he was standing on the door, his hands on the upper frame of the door for support, his body leaning in, his eyes hooded with lust. 

"I need privacy," she snapped. 

As if he would give her privacy now. "That's a ridiculous thought," he dismissed in a sexy voice entering the bathroom, raking his gaze over her. Seeing all her curves, his blood gushed south. He had this crazy desire to rub his pants over his cock but he let it be for her to see.

"Shameless!" She turned away from him and rather than going to the bathtub she went to the shower. "Voyeur!" she murmured, forgetting all about the red tendrils. 

Caleb chuckled and leaned against the mirror, as he gawked at her under the shower. 

Naked, under the hot water, was so good. She threaded her fingers in her wet hair and tipped her head up. All the energy in her was like some high drug or maybe a cocktail of various drugs. She sighed and convinced herself that it was only because she drank his blood last night. She wondered if she should be unhappy about the way things were turning, but she didn't find a modicum of regret. 

As if he had understood what she thought, he asked, "Are you hungry?" 

She pursed her lips. So, the wolf was playing games of seduction with her? She was going to play it back. She picked up the soap bar, lathered it on a soft sponge and then slowly rubbed it on her neck, down on her breasts where her nipples had puckered which she didn't know why. Further down, down to her ass and then in between her thighs. Fuck. Her eyes closed and she imagined him sucking her over there, making her scream until she came all over his tongue. She opened her eyes, glowered at him through the condensed glass and growled, "Get out!" He was putting those thoughts in her mind. She had yet to see an unabashed man in her life. He was going to make her come by just making her imagine. 

Caleb laughed. He retreated his thoughts from the bond that connected them and got out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Elize dried herself with one of the fluffy towels and as she wrapped one around her, she realized that her nipples were puckered and her core was weeping. She trembled remembering the vision he had sent in her mind. She shook her head hard to shun those thoughts.. Suddenly she heard a roar. She ran out and saw—